It was a game of hide and seek yesterday between vendors and the police on Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain.
As some vendors hastily placed tables, toys and other goods for sale on make-shift tables in an attempt to earn a dollar, police swooped down on them.
Several vendors said they pleaded with the police not to remove their tables with their goods.
As the vendors placed their tables with toys, clothing, handbags, watches, vegetables and fruits on each corner. they were quickly told by the police to remove the merchandise.
“The inspector now pass and tell me to leave. When he pass back he see me packing out goods. I ask him to give me a bligh, he say pack up.... I going home,” said one of the vendors.
Several other female vendors sat on their tables waiting for the police to leave the area.
“How they want people to eat? How they want people to drink? They suppose to give us time. Trust in God,” two other vendors said as they smiled.
While most of the vendors complained of poor sales, many shoppers said prices were high.
“Nah, nah, not much shopping at all and I not buying much groceries,” said one woman who refused to give her name.
Another woman said it was the first and last day she would be shopping for the season.
“That is it. Things hard and you need to save for next year. It going to be harder,” she said.
Customer service representatives at Town Centre Mall said business was very slow.
“It is very slow, nobody in the store,” said one woman who waved her hands saying : “ We have clothes selling for as low as $20 and accessories for $10.”
However, a sales representative at Adronteck said sales were “happening.”
PS4, PS3, the unlimited version gold console and control, toys, smart watches were on sale.
“The toys more selling,” he said.
In the past few days, vending has been scarce on the streets of Port-of-Spain to San Juan.
Members of the Charlotte Street Vendors Association protested against the decision made by the Port-of-Spain City Corporation which did not allow vending on all the days leading up to Christmas.
When a T&T Guardian news team visited San Juan, no vendors were visible on the side walks as in the past few years.
Several store owners placed their goods on make-shift tables near their shops.