The Jamaica Observer’s annual weekend retail shopping blitz — Take Style Out 2023 — opened on Thursday with participating stores in Kingston reporting brisk sales on a rain-affected day.

The event, which runs until tomorrow, sees shoppers enjoying deep discounts from the more than 600 participating retailers islandwide ahead of the usually busy Christmas shopping period.

“Take Style Out 2023 started out strong,” Loud Fashion Director Doneisha Johnson told the Observer Thursday evening. “We opened at 10:00 am and persons were already here waiting for us to open.

“It was busy until the rain started about 2:00 pm. It’s almost 6:00 pm and it’s busy again. A lot of persons came straight from work to shop. I believe the weather affected us a bit, but we’re doing good. Though last year, I do believe, was better based on the numbers, we still did tremendously well.”

Judith Hartley, store manager, Ammar’s Village Plaza, had a similar experience.

“Today was fairly busy. The kiddies section did well. Parents were out shopping for lots of pink. The ladies and gents departments also did well. We’re looking forward to a busy weekend,” she said.

With the weekend starting today, more shoppers are expected to flock to stores displaying the Take Style Out poster.