CAIRO – The summer clearance sales, which started on August 8, have been a complete failure in the coastal Governorate of Alexandria. Street sellers offering low-priced wares have spread and settled in front of many shops. They block streets and their presence is detrimental, traders complain. In the aftermath of the January 25 revolution, local markets were hit severely and sales declined. Street sellers rushed into the vacuum by serving the needs of low-income families. “I prefer to buy from street sellers. The other day, I found children pyjamas for only LE20 [$3.50]. In a shop I'd have paid LE80,” said Zeinab Abdou Moustafa, a housewife. During the summer clearance sales, which coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, shop owners offered bonuses and cut prices. “The summer clearance sales came too late this year and were a flop,” complained Fawzi Fahmi, a shop owner. “The Ministry of Social Solidarity is responsible for delaying the sales,” he added. “Most people find it hard to make ends meet. Food comes first and clothes second in these hard times,” Ahmed Fahmi, another trader, said. Meanwhile, consumers oppose the traders' policies. “Shops owners want to get rid of their old stock. They hope to benefit from the summer clearance sales by selling old-fashioned items,” Mohamed Bayoumi, an employee, said. “The street sellers on the other hand offer the most fashionable and up-to-date clothes for low prices,” student Mohamed Hazaa' asserted. Street sellers have noble goals; they safeguard good living standards. “Most of them graduated from universities. They chose not to become thugs or thieves, but to make money the honest way,” Yasser Abdel Meguid, an engineer, said. “They are happy with small profits.” “The Government must support people by offering low-price commodities. This would reduce financial pressure on families,” suggested Rand el-Sayyed, a student. Shop owners have come down hard on street sellers, claiming they were bad for business. “We have to pay salaries, taxes, rent and more. The Government should stop the street sellers! They offer their wares without licence and have no overheads to pay,” complained Moustafa AbdelAal, a shop owner.
