SOME shop owners in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew, say the prolonged sick-out by police officers has affected their Christmas sales, as consumers were afraid to come out to shop.

A significant number of rank-and-file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been calling in sick over the past few days, after the Jamaica Police Federation rejected a six per cent wage increase offer from the Government.

“I think one of the major contributors to us not having much customers over the weekend was because people were afraid since the police dem sick-out,” said Miriame Campbell, owner of a clothing store inside the Constant Spring Arcade.

“We saw some police on Saturday, but not as much as usual. On Sunday we hardly saw any. I was sitting with some other shopkeepers and I counted about three police cars pass, but none on foot,” she told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“It was really just the grace of God keeping us safe on that day,” Campbell added.

Another shop owner in the arcade, who declined to give her name, said she felt that more police officers should’ve been on duty.

“I can’t complain too much about sales, but I didn’t see them down this side much, especially on Sunday when people were still shopping,” she said.

Campbell also said that confusion about which day the well-anticipated Grand Market would’ve been held may have also accounted for a drop in sales.

Grand Market, which is traditionally a highlight of the Christmas festivities across the island, usually occurs on Christmas Eve. However, Campbell explained that “this year the people didn’t know if it would be on Saturday or Sunday, so they didn’t come with any intention to do the usual market spending”.

She said even though last year was better for her, she is still thankful for the business she received.

A store owner in Twin Gates Plaza, who only gave his name as Mr Ravi, echoed Campbell’s sentiments about the Grand Market confusion.

“People don’t have any money, either,“ he said. “I can’t say sales were good or bad, but last year was better.”

Meanwhile other stores, such as H&L Rapid Tru Value inside Lane Plaza, reported good business for the Christmas season.

“At H&L it has been very good, it wasn’t just about Christmas tree, as we saw most persons coming in the week before Christmas. It was mostly about home renovation. We saw a lot of persons purchasing paints and some of the hardcore hardware items being sold, such as the lumber, cement and steel, as well,” revealed the company’s branch manager, Andrea Thomas.

Shoppers in the Half-Way-Tree area also shared their experience while Christmas shopping.

“My wife and I did most of our shopping overseas because we find the prices are better and it is more convenient,” one man, who gave his name only as Robinson, told the Observer.

Robinson also said he was concerned about security as “times are serious in Jamaica”.

“It was our first time shopping online and we just might do it every year to avoid the hassle,” he said.

Another shopper, Natiella Patterson, said: “I can’t make Christmas take my pocket because every year gets worse for me, so I have to budget my money according to how I have it, and right now, I don’t really have it.”