MANDEVILLE, Manchester- Some merchants are now seasoned to the Jamaica Observer Take Style Out (TSO), which has been boosting their earning potential over the years, but for others in Mandeville it was a first time experience on Thursday last.

It was a learning curve for all and retailers who caught on quickly reaped maximum benefits.

Only two months in business Pablo’s Hair and Beauty Supplies started offering discounts from as early as 9:30 am and had a plan to end the night when customers were no longer coming to the store.

“Fabulous experience,” owner Paul Bernard told the Jamaica Observer from his South Race Course Road location.

He said the decision was made to give maximum 15% discount because outside of some hair extensions, generally the store does not price items beyond $2,500.

Another retailer that was both new to business and to TSO was MajorKit Sports at the Orange Plaza on Caledonia Road.

At about 8:30 pm owner C’Lloyd Walker sat alone in the establishment but he seemed relaxed.

He said there were customers earlier in the evening and that he had put aside items for some who he was expecting to return.

Walker said that rain at a point during the night may have affected the outcome but he also understood the teething pains of a new business having only been around since February.

He said his approach generally has not really been to rely on walk-in but to go into schools and promote his products as educational institutions are his direct target market.

Glambition at Levy’s Plaza started early and was offering 20-50% on items including clothes, perfumes and colognes but according to owner Bobbette Dennis she did not get the boost in sales that she expected.

In retrospect, she said that the experience could possibly have been improved if she had done more to promote what she had on sale.

The unique situation for Tha Klozet clothing store, is that the three years that they have participated they have been at different locations in the town.

Now at Charley’s Plaza, store representatives say that they had a better experience last year as despite using social media to help to get customers attention about what was on offer they have not really seen a boost in sales.

Notwithstanding the varying experiences, the retailers visited all seemed interested in being a part of TSO in future.

Some of the other store stops were at Blackout Boutique at Elethe Mall, Kirlew’s Closet at Charley’s Plaza and T’mani Shoetique, which had plans to take the sale into the weekend.

– Alicia Sutherland