by Nobleman Runyanga
The Harare Agricultural Show which ran from Monday to Saturday presented business opportunities to vendors who sell various goods especially those which are targeted at child show goers.
This came out of interviews which the Harare Post carried out with some of the vendors during the show.
The vendors who ranged from sellers of trinkets such as plastic toys, cooked food sellers to ice cream vendors testified that the event presented an opportunity to register brisk business.
“To be honest with you, we making better sales compared to other days. This is because we target children, who pester their parents for the toys that we sell. For example, for young primary school-going girls, they would not have been at the show if their parents don’t buy them plastic toy crowns. For the boys they are toys such as swords, helicopters and other fascinating items,” said Cecilia Hwindingwi a vendor who was plying her trade to show visitors queuing to get into the show venue.
“I am a face painter. Face painting is one of the favourites of children and over these past few days I managed to make meaningful sales. My services cost just 25 or 50 cents depending on the complexity of the design. Our problem is that over the past two days, the number of face painters has increased which sometimes forces me to accept 25 cents payments instead of the 50 cents,” said Peter Chiruka.
“Business is very brisk. The combination of a huge number of children at one place and the hot weather is very conducive for sales. Yes, some small time ice-cream vendors clad in known brand colours are eating into our market but I’m making decent sales,” said a Lyons Maid ice-cream vendor who declined to be named.
“We are selling fresh chips and other food items and business is good. Given that big fast food names such as Chicken Inn are not represented here, we are realising good sales per day,” said Monica Gowera.
The vendors’ positive fortunes were underpinned by an increase in the number of both exhibitors and visitors which, in turn, was buoyed by the positive sentiment among most people following the advent of the new dispensation.
