Business activity is slowly returning to normal in central Roseau following Tropical Storm Erika and some are reporting a drop in customers.
A number of stores and other types of businesses have reopened their doors but the influx of customers has been low for many.
Proprietor of AC Shillingford and Co. Ltd Julius Timothy, told DNO that business is gradually going back to normal and he is in the process of restocking the supermarket.
According to the businessman, dry goods were sold out last week and he is now clearing containers to restock.
Timothy said all his employees are now back at work.
Neither of his two business locations was directly affected by the storm.
Z-Mart, which is usually a hub of activity at this time of the year just before school reopens has reported a loss. Z-Mart Proprietor Bodruz Zaman estimates his losses a $150, 000.
“School is opening next week …now business is dead,” he said.
Toujour Haute Couture which sells a variety of items, admitted that sales have plummeted. An employee said the number of walk –customers has definitely dropped.
“We had more walk in’s before the storm, we had more good sales, but now it’s like every hour one or two persons would come in,” one of the employees, Diane Benjamin said.
The Managing Director of J. Astaphan and Co. Ltd Genevieve Astaphan said many of their staff members reside out of town and were not able to make it to work. The company is expecting shipments that were ordered prior to the storm but has not run out of stock.
“All our facilities are operational,” Astaphan said.
However, their Distribution Center at Canefield which is in close proximity to the river was affected by debris and water when the river overflowed. She described it as “manageable” and noted that the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
When asked whether business was back to normal, she responded: “Whether you suffered a direct hit or not, it affects you because when Dominica suffers, you suffer as well as a community, as an island.”
She said while they are trying to restore normalcy to their operations, J. Astaphan and Co. Ltd is working with suppliers and relief agencies to help those affected by the storm.
The business community must play their part in cleaning up Roseau. the city is too dusty. The DAIC can organize its members for example to power-wash the city at nights (using water from the river and or sea) to get rid of the dust bowl that is Roseau today. the City Council cannot do it alone. the mercantile sector should assist.
What about small businesses. They will be more affected than the bigger stores. Sales have already been affected for the few days after the storm. The banks should come forward and give assistance by giving a grace period of at least a minimum of 3 months. This would allow the small business to gather up some capital during the slow periods. I definitely anticipate the next two(2) months to be slow.It is not just sales, but persons owing you will also have a problem paying as their business will be affected.
Well I think that a drop in business would be an obvious thing as thousands of Dominicans are still grappling with the after effects of that devastating TS and are trying to get their lives back in order!!!