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With a week to go until Christmas, islanders are being urged to support local retailers as new figures reveal a 40% drop in town shoppers compared to last year.
The latest footfall figures released by the Chamber of Commerce - for 7-13 December - show that the number of people walking down King Street was 37.9% down on the same week last year and 39.4% down for the year so far.
Businesses said that islanders still could help soften the blow of a difficult year by choosing to do their last-minute shopping in Jersey rather than online.
Town Centre Manager Vicky Tréhorel said: “With delivery deadlines for online shopping now at a head, I hope people will support locally with their last minute purchases and food shopping over the weekend and days leading up to Christmas; while staying safe and looking out for each other."
Pictured: Street entertainers will also be out and about in town this weekend.
She continued: “We will have characters in town on Sunday to add some fun to the last-minute shopper experience and should it rain umbrellas are being given to stores to keep you dry if there is any need to queue.
“Businesses have worked very hard to ensure safety measures are in place so that people can shop comfortably while maintaining physical distancing and I would urge people to be kind and considerate over the next few days to ensure we can all have some sort of peaceful Christmas day with loved ones.”
John Marquis, Store Director at A De Gruchy, added that coming into town to shop had numerous advantages over shopping online.
Pictured: De Gruchy's Store Director reminded islanders of the benefits of physical shopping.
“By shopping locally, customers will be assisted by colleagues who can give advice and suggest alternatives and in some stores even get the item gift wrapped at no extra cost.
“Customers can see, touch, feel and smell the product that they have in front of them and understand exactly what it is they are paying for. And they will not have the worry of “will it be delivered in time or will it arrive at all?”
“In most stores, dependent on what they buy, they can take it away immediately. Other local retailers will offer a local delivery within a few hours or a few days.
”Importantly, local retailers value their customers and have done an amazing job to ensure all of our customers are able to shop safely.”
Meanwhile, president of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce Jennifer Carnegie said: “I would urge customers to continue to shop safely, but to support stores in Jersey wherever and whenever they can."
Pictured: Chamber President Jennifer Carnegie reminded islanders that “every pound spent locally will help protect jobs."
She continued: “It has been a difficult trading year for retail and every pound spent locally will support the future of these businesses and better secure the jobs in this sector.”
Last month, the Government decided to inject £35,000 into town's Christmas preparations in a bid to get islanders out and about shopping locally.
The incentives the money from the Economic Development Department have supported include ambient background music, assistance for Thursday late night shopping, pop-up shops and umbrellas available for the colder winter nights.
They have also supported the creation of virtual screens spreading Christmas cheer.
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