PLIGHT OF THE RETAILER

Sir,

As a small independent retailer in Eswatini – our business suffered severe financial loss during the early lockdown days in April and May 2020. 

As the lockdown was relaxed and we were once again allowed to trade – we felt some relief although the restricted days and trading hours did not serve our business well. 

Due to logistical challenges of public transport and the likes – our staff incurred the same daily travelling expenses and the same monthly living expenses. 

Protect

In order to protect them through this period we continued to pay 100 per cent of their salaries as well as provided PPE and other assistance beyond that required for their jobs.

As we enter the festive season on which we have historically relied heavily for elevated trade levels we are faced with the following very real challenges:

The man in the street, our valued customer, has far less disposable income available this year for all of the reasons listed above – as such; their basket spend is expected to be less.

Financial

These very same customers, as with all of us, have far less certainty about their financial futures – as such; they are going to hold on much more tightly to their cash. Those customers who normally have the means to travel to our neighbouring countries and have been itching to do so, are highly likely do their Christmas shopping outside of the Kingdom. We implore the following role players to do the following:

The Ministers of Finance; Commerce and Health – please assist in this process by limiting unnecessary travel. Medical and health fears aside – the financial drain on the cash in the country will be felt for months to come.

Spend

EmaSwati – please spend your money at home. Support local businesses and have our money circulate through our collective hands.

The Commissioner General; SRA – please ensure that every cent in VAT is recovered. If our citizens chose to spend their money outside the kingdom then please ensure that every measure is in place to easily declare those goods and all of that VAT to be recovered.

If we all bring our part in this festive period we can contribute to the economic success of the season which will go some way to assisting in the economic recovery of the Kingdom as a nation.

Stretched Retailer

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