MANDEVILLE, Manchester – Now a fully fledged entrepreneur with more time for her business since last year’s Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out (TSO), where she was still balancing her day job with her boutique Anita Elizabeth, Summer James strategically planned her participation in last Thursday’s event and as such, the unexpected inclement weather conditions did not affect her sales.

In fact, when the Jamaica Observer Central made a stop at the store on the grounds of the Golf View Hotel property on Caledonia Road at about 8:00 pm, she said she had already exceeded the profit made in the previous year.

She was in jovial spirit as she spent time with clients who were making the most of the up-to-50-per-cent-off specials, enjoying refreshments, camaraderie and music.

“I am extremely satisfied with the turnout and I am taking the sale into the weekend,” said James.

She said that her business is not dependent on walk-in clients but instead gets referrals through her client base, and she created a buzz, prior to the announcement of the TSO date, that she would be participating.

Meanwhile at Maxie’s Department store on Ward Avenue a company representative said they started sales in the morning, saw an increase in customers at 5:00 pm at the actual start of TSO, and they too did not believe that the rain would affect sales.

However, there was a consensus among stores such as Tuscany Boutique on Ward Avenue, Fashion Statement at Mid Way Mall, Leaka’s Fashion Fusion at Caledonia Mall, RadioShack at Bank House Mall, New Appearance Jewellery at Bank House Mall, Gold Mart at Super Plus Centre, Bargain Depot and Bashco Department store on Manchester Road, that the rain affected business.

Stops were also made at Sinclair’s Bargain Centre on Manchester Road, All American Brand Boutique on Ward Avenue, Lucky Dollar at Super Plus Centre, Sophia’s Subscription of Style and Fashion Village on Manchester Road, Reemazzz furniture store at Bank House Mall, Intense Collections and Teens to Men at Grove Court Plaza.

While some company representatives said they were thankful for the sales received, some were hopeful purchases would pick up by 10:00 pm at the close of TSO, while others were in a wait-and-see mode on whether they should close early.

Like James, some proprietors had planned to maximise opportunities from the momentum of TSO by continuing the sale on Friday and Saturday.

Officially opened last Monday, store supervisor at Frith’s Clothing Store at Superior Parts Plaza on Caledonia Road, Chevaughnie Myers, said that on the day of TSO they had the most clients since opening and customers had taken notice, particularly of the 20 per cent off everything for children, and were making purchases.

— Alicia Sutherland