One week before Christmas, shopping has already begun especially in big towns and cities.

Hustling and bustling seen in markets strongly indicate that Christmas is near.  All nooks and crannies of the country are affected.  Even though Christmas celebration is not new preparations have reached fever pitch especially in big towns and cities. One week before Christmas, shopping has already begun especially in big towns and cities.

In Yaounde, markets are flooded with goods and customers. The markets are crowded such that movement is not easy especially during the weekends.  At the Yaounde Central Market, most of the traders have furnished their shops with goods to meet the high demand. Shops are open even after the normal closing hours. On the streets, hawkers and nervous shop owners are showcasing discounts in an effort to entice as many customers as possible.

Baudelaire Kenmogne a trader said he ordered goods since the beginning of December. He said sales are not yet high as expected but he believes he will make brisk business when salaries will be out. “Many people don’t have money now. But when salaries will be paid, people will come rushing,” he said. The story is similar to that of Martine Ngonda. She is not in a hurry to sell because she knows that sales will be high next week.

Apart from goods, markets are also overcrowded by seasonal traders. These are traders who do not have any fixed shops but only appear in the market during the end-of-year feasts. They occupy verandas of shops and sidewalks to sell their goods at lower prices. One of the traders, Patrice Tamon, said he sells only Christmas items and so he only comes to the market during the end-of-year feasts.

He said after the end-of-year feasts, he will look for another activity.  Another trader, Marie Louise Ambang, who lives in the outskirts of Yaounde said she sells chicken in the central market during this period. Usually, Mrs. Ambang sells chicken to people who come and buy in the village but now she prefers to sell in town because the demand is high and she will make more profit. Also, customers who flood the markets have their reasons. Paulina Njomo said she prefers doing her Christmas shopping now to avoid last minutes rush while others prefer to wait for the last minute in order to get the best.