Festive season shopping kicks off

AS the festive season approaches, supermarkets across the country are bustling with activity, their shelves fully stocked in anticipation of the holiday rush.

According to Rajendra’s Foodtown Supermarket manager Vishwa Nadan, customer patterns remain consistent with previous years, with top-selling products including chicken, juice, ice cream, meat and snacks.

“Most of the customers this year buy the same top products we have all around the festive season,” Mr Nadan said.

“We have built up our stock for the year like we do every year, as we are ready for the busy festive season and Christmas sale.”

When asked about the most popular grocery items, Mr Nadan listed chicken, ice cream, sausages, juice, snacks and fruit cakes as staples in shoppers’ carts during this period.

Promotions are also in full swing to entice customers.

The festive spirit also extends beyond city limits, with island customers such as Kadavu, Lau, and Rotuma travelling to Suva to stock up on essentials.

“During the start of the school breaks, we have seen our island customers flocking into the city, buying items in bulk and packing them into cartons to be transported to the islands,” Mr Nadan said.

Staff of the supermarket assisted in packing goods for shipping via the Narayan jetty, ensuring islanders are well-prepared for their celebrations.

Mr Nadan’s advice for shoppers this season is simple: “Don’t panic, spend your money wisely. Even though the weather has been unpredictable, we are all in this festive season together and hope the weather clears up. Enjoy the atmosphere, shop safely and make the most of this special time.”

Surge in foot traffic

Meanwhile, Suva Retail Association president Jitesh Patel said the end of Diwali usually marked the unofficial start to the city’s festive period, with businesses quickly shifting their focus to Christmas.

“Shops across the city are decked out in festive decorations, supermarkets are fully stocked, and restaurants are ready to welcome an influx of shoppers and families,” Mr Patel said.

“With school holidays starting, retailers anticipate a surge in foot traffic as more people head into town to take advantage of seasonal deals.”

He said consumer behavior was evolving.

“We’ve seen some customers start their back-to-school shopping early to avoid the January rush, while others focus on Christmas gifts and workplace gift exchanges.

“The weekends are especially busy and we expect this trend to continue,” he said.

Traditionally, Suva sees a steady build-up in shopping activity throughout December, culminating in a major surge during the final week before Christmas.

Mr Patel expects this year to follow the same pattern, with last-minute shoppers contributing to a flurry of sales before many families leave for villages or islands to celebrate the holidays.

Safety, a priority

Mr Patel reassured shoppers that the city is well-prepared, with increased security measures in place.

“We have cameras throughout the city and are working closely with police to ensure more officers are present on the streets,” he said.

“Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable shopping experience for everyone.”

Mr Patel encourages shoppers to communicate openly with store managers if they encounter any issues and assures that retailers are committed to delivering excellent customer service.

“As Suva’s business community comes together for the season, the message is clear: come to town, enjoy the festivities and have a Merry Christmas and happy shopping.”