Port-of-Spain proprietors and hucksters reported excellent sales for Independence and several of them confessed they were taken aback as the demand for Independence paraphernalia exceeded the supply.
Random checks with business people revealed the shopping frenzy was ignited by a surge of patriotism and nationalism. Others felt there had been a general upsurge in sales of patriotic bric-a-brac during August. They also felt Olympian Keshorn Walcott had wielded his spell over shoppers. Red items of clothing were spotted everywhere. Little children carried miniature flags. The hot sellers were national flags, caps and t-shirts while utilitarian items like red umbrellas and red tea cups were snapped up at $20 each. At Independence Square, Mohan Khemlani told the T&T Guardian:?"We did not expect such a demand. Or else we would have gotten more stock. The flags are selling like hot hops. Sales are good for Independence. There is a patriotic feeling."
At Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, huckster Julie Singh boasted she had sold a large number of earrings at $20 a pair. The prefered design was a globe of red with golden spikes. "People have bought a lot. Sales are good. It's the Independence." At Radical Designs on Frederick Street, sales girl Lily Ramroop noted the t-shirts were hot items. The prices ranged from $70 to $189. Apart from T-shirts for liming, the flowing red dresses for elegant evenings proved popular at $269. At Excellent Centre Centre, proprietor Grace Pereira confessed she was amazed at the "good sales." She said:?"They have bought the ties in the red, white and black. I sold about three dozen. They are also bought the Trinidad caps at $85. I have to admit sales have been good this Independence. Compared to Christmas, sales are even better." She added:?"I think it has to do with the end of the month. People are doing back-to-school shopping. It is the last weekend." Quizzed on her Independence wishes for T&T, she said:?"I?am hoping our economy would do well. I?am hoping we could stave off the recession. America had the recession over the past three years. It is now starting to reach here."
Glam supervisor Terry Anne Cipriani admitted "sales were good."?She felt people were celebrating Toco born Keshorn Walcott's victory at the London Olympics. "I think Keshorn gives the extra oomph." Cipriani said:?" I was surprised how sales went for Independence. People bought a lot of clothes. Red, white and black. They are going to a lot of parties."?The upscale store carried bangles ranging $45 to $95. tops at $195. Red pumps fetched $295. to $325. complemented by red handbags from $395. to $495. Surprisingly, flowers; especially red roses and floral bouquets garnered good sales. Proprietor Lall Rajcoomar at Garden of Eden, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain felt there had been good sales due to Independence. "We sold 3 roses for $20. A single rose in a vase went at $60. Three roses in a vase went for $150. People have been buying flowers as Independence gifts. One young lady told me she was buying roses for her mother."?