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Retailers complain of non-level playing field Retailers who spoke to MaltaToday were annoyed at the fact that the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) did not actively inform its members that shops in all areas could open as normal on Wednesday March 31, a public holiday. Some expressed claims that the hastily taken decision, which was only announced in a press release late on Tuesday morning, was in some way aimed at benefiting the newly opened market shopping mall, The Point in Sliema, which was packed all day on Wednesday. But GRTU director general Vince Farrugia vehemently denied any bias or favouritism directed at the new establishment in Tigne’, which apparently stole a march on its competitors by advertising heavily on all media that it would be open for business as usual in the public holiday. “The request for retailers to open on a public holiday is a standard one and I fail to understand why some shop owners are claiming that we tried to hide any information from them. Admittedly this time the request took slightly longer to accommodate as there were some persons on leave at the Parliamentary Secretariat for Small Business who are also still getting used to the job. But there was ample time for everyone to open their shop on March 31.” Farrugia also sounded a note of caution on the economic situation adding that it was only fair for The Point to be able to open its doors on a public holiday as it was currently in its opening period. “Everyone has to understand that consumer confidence is at an all-time low, and this means that it will take some time for the economy to pick up to be able to accommodate the new shopping centre at The Point. You have to understand that this investment is massive and our members have to understand that we are not against competition in any way even though we know that consumption will not grow so much in the coming months to make this project immediately profitable.” Any comments? |
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