Mohale FM Business performance during the recent festive season in Botha-Bothe has drawn mixed reactions from local traders, with some reporting disappointing outcomes while others recorded notable gains.
Mr Molikoane Molikoane, who owns a clothing store in the town centre, said business was significantly slower compared to last year, when sales were strong. He attributed the downturn partly to the continued deportation of Basotho who had been working illegally in South Africa, which he believes reduced disposable income among shoppers.
He said although there were many people in town, most of them had little or no money to spend.
In contrast, ‘Machabeli Mokhethi, a shoe trader from Shehile, reported a successful festive season. She said her business performed better than in December last year, resulting in increased profits.
Meanwhile, commercial analyst Khotso Mahonko, has encouraged clothing retailers to adjust their business strategies and advised traders to place greater emphasis on children’s clothing, which tends to attract higher demand during the Christmas period.
He has shown that the best-performing stores during the festive season are those that focus on children’s wear and advised business owners to rethink their approach and, most importantly, establish specialized and reliable shops that cater to local consumers.
