One of the seasoned flea market operators Samukelisiwe Ngwenya said the tide was currently going against their type of business.
“Flea markets are no longer viable because most people are not working and they prefer to buy on credit than cash,” Ngwenya said.
“There are many cross-border traders who find it better to sell their stuff at home than flea markets due to high rentals.
“Customers that are supposed to come to the flea markets are buying from those people who sell their stuff at home because they allow their customers to take the goods on credit,” she said.
She said the rental for a single stand at $120 was expensive, considering the prevailing liquidity crunch.
“The charge itself is too high and we hardly make a profit here and this has forced many to abandon the markets.
Flea markets in the second largest city are feeling the pinch of an underperforming economy.
The markets have for years provided alternative sources of income for many households struggling to make ends meet as industries closed throwing thousands out of jobs.
While various mainstream businesses have been wilting under the effects of the stressed economy, the informal sector has also borne the brunt of shrinking incomes
The customers have gone with the wind.
A survey conducted by this paper in Bulawayo shows that all is not well for the flea market operators.
A tour within the city’s popular flea markets also revealed that there are many vacant stands, a development which signified that the situation was not getting any better as people struggle day in day out to earn a living.
Affected flea markets include Fort 11, Unity Village, West Side, Indoor, Sky Top, OK Bazaar and SDA, among others.
“Generally, money is not circulating; people do not have money out there. We incur a lot of costs, including duty and transport which makes it difficult to survive.”
Flea markets have for years been the choice for many fashion lovers as it was known for bringing latest imported clothes at relatively competitive prices in the process beating traditional retail outlets.
With the changing times it seems the clothing shops have also adopted fresh strategies like introducing zero deposits and long repayment periods from consumers who naturally depended on flea markets.
Precious Nkomazana, 43, said she was forced to reduce the number of stalls she was operating in town due to the decline in business.
“There was a time when we used to make a lot of profits from these stalls, particularly during the inclusive government’s period but to be honest things are falling apart,” Nkomazana said.
“I used to have about six stalls that I rented in town at different flea markets but now you can’t believe that I am only left with two which I am also struggling to sustain”.
Nkomazana appealed to the Bulawayo City Council to intervene and try to reduce costs that are forcing them out of business.
Theresa Chikanhi, 32, a former secretary at the Zimbabwe Cross Border Association said running a flea market nowadays was almost a luxury. “You really have to be strong these days because the conditions and the environment is way unfriendly. The rentals at the flea market are something else,” Chikanhi said.
She said most people are now relying on the second hand section popularly known as Khothama (bend down) just opposite the Tower Block in the city centre.
Unfortunately, the Khothama open air flea market is only open on weekends and public holidays making it difficult for those who survive solely on selling second hand clothes.
The Zimbabwe Chamber of the Informal Economy Association (ZCIEA) Matabeleland Region president Edward Manning said the situation was dire in the informal sector.
“Like every other sector, we are also facing hard times following the closure of companies in the city. There is no dollar power here. Money is not just circulating as it should,” said Manning.
He said it was disappointing that the Zanu PF government was concentrating on their internecine squabbles at the expense of the economy which is on a free fall.
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| Residents at Flea Market outside Bulawayo City Hall |
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