Sale of X’mas decoration items up

By Ramesh Mathew/Staff ReporterWith Christmas round the corner, there has been a steady rise in the sale of decoration items, especially lights and other items used for celebration.The products are mainly from China. Christmas trees are available at QR35 onwards in some of the shops. The better quality ones are selling in the range of QR80-QR150.“In the initial days when the patronage was very limited, we used to import goods from the United Kingdom and Australia, which were expensive,” recalled an old-timer, who said now most outlets prefer to sell mainly Chinese products owing to the cost factor. “Customers are more or less happy with those goods manufactured in China,” an outlet operator said. Paper lanterns in the shape of stars are mainly brought from India and sold in large numbers, especially in the hypermarkets operated by the community members.Some of the bakeries patronised mainly by the Asian expatriates also have good business on account of Christmas. “Like in previous years we have received a large number of delivery orders for cakes this time as well,” said the manager of a bakery on Airport Road. Cakes sell for QR60/kilo and above. Bakeries at the malls also have reportedly received a good response.