TODAY is Mothers’ Day all across the universe and with persons looking to do last minute shopping to surprise their mothers with that special gift, one would have expected the scene here yesterday in downtown Georgetown to be a hive of activity.
Not so. Matter of fact, it was somewhat low-key; totally out of sync with what usually obtains at this time of year. When the Chronicle visited a few key shopping centres, the view that met the eye certainly depicted the global crisis hitting the worldwide economy, as customers were a scarce commodity for the many vendors who plied their trade.
Card vendors in Bourda Market expressed their disappointment at the flow of customers wanting to buy Mothers’ Day cards or even gift bags, as they all shared the view that the value such a day once had appears to be dwindling as the years go by.
One vendor, who chose to remain anonymous, commented on the fact that Mothers’ Day is nothing like it used to be; that she is accustomed to seeing people, men especially, buying cards and gifts bags, but this year, neither the men nor women were buying.
“If this was a few years ago, I wouldn’t even had time to talk to you because of the crowd of people that would be here,” she said while displaying a face of sure frustration.
Another vendor who sells at the front and centre of the market explained that although the market is busy, persons are hardly purchasing any items for a day like today.
Prominent shopping centers such as Kei-Shars, The City Mall, The Vendors Arcade and Fogarty’s appeared quite sparse when we paid them a visit late yesterday.
One person commenting on the issue at the City Mall stated that although the mall is crowded, most persons are just liming as they do most Saturdays, and only a very few are actually buying.
Stores such as Boyos Fashion on Regent Street, however, had some good reports compared to some of its competitors, with the proprietor, Mr. Boyo stating that there was a tremendous amount of shoppers at his store.
“Mothers’ Day is like Christmas,” he said. “Many persons always turn out to shop despite the rain or sun, and this year for me, business has been great with regards to Mothers’ Day shopping, with customers whom I have not seen in months coming out to shop a gift or two for their respective mothers.”
A few other persons shared similar views, with one sales girl in the Mall stating that her limbs were hurting from standing all day due to the volume of people she had to attend to.
Most vendors and buyers stated that they believe the main reasons the hustle and bustle may not be so prevalent  now is due to the economic crisis that most persons are facing, with one shopper  going further to state: “Although I’m  anxious about shopping for Mothers’ Day, I know it would not be like before because my family is going through some turbulent times.”
A young shopper, 10-year-old Keisha Hinds, told reporters that she is very excited that today is Mothers’ Day, but she does not have all the money she needs to buy the ring she wanted to for her mother.
Mothers Day will still go on today, however, and it is our fervent wish here at the Chronicle that every mother enjoys this day to the fullest.