FOLLOWING another successful year of Take Style Out (TSO), local retailers are now pushing for the event to be hosted twice per year.

The five-hour shopping spree has businesses advocating for the event to be held in March next year, as opposed to only in October, as a result of the revenue boost it brought to the retail industry and other sectors of the economy.

“It would be great if we could get another event in a slow period like March,” Sherika Todd, regional manager of Glitzzy Hair in Clock Tower Plaza, St Andrew told the Jamaica Observer.

“Just yesterday I was saying to my staff that we could have up to three Takes Style Out events for the year as our company almost doubled sales for the day. This year was much better for us than last year, but our Montego Bay office didn’t do so well because it rained.”

Retailers expressed that having the first TSO hosted in March would increase economic activities following back-to-school shopping in January and Valentine’s day celebrations in February.

“Other seasons like Christmas and summer will have good sales because people usually save to buy clothes for parties. But nothing happens in March so it’s the best month,” store manager at Hair in Style, Coral Getfield stated.

TSO, an initiative of the Jamaica Observer has increased the revenue intake of many businesses after the back-to-school period over the last six years. Once again, the event has shown its magnitude by bringing life back to the retail industry during the seventh staging last Thursday.

Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Terron Fearon applauded the Jamaica Observer for the conceptualisation of an event that has maintained customer interest while increasing retail sales for both small and large businesses during the country’s economic climate.

“Just yesterday I was saying that the event should be held at least twice per year because of the large crowd that the store usually gets. Half-Way-Tree looks like Christmas Eve with customers and vendors,” Tiffany Murray of Sashe Boutique and Salon previously told the Sunday Finance. “But I would also like it to take place earlier in the day and closer to the weekend.”

Other store operators reckoned that the double hosting of the TSO event will help to revive the stagnant economy without dampening the excitement it has on customers.

Managing director of Lee’s Fifth Avenue Beverly Moses ensured the company was properly prepared for the event last Thursday by hiring a deejay and new GraceKennedy franchise Hot Dog King to boost entertainment for the store. Additionally, Lee’s hosted sample wine tasting after each purchase to enhance the customer experience.

She stated that daily sales had significantly increased, but added that low cashflow from consumers somewhat impacted the day’s operation.

“We started our discounts from 10:00 am but it only started picking up at about 5pm. We are very grateful to the Observer for this event and we hope to triple our daily profits,” Moses said.

The event, now declared as a must-shop calendar event, has garnered the attention of many customers and retailers over the years. This year, TSO saw another increase in participants, totalling some 2,000 stores.

Many retailers — especially young entrepreneurs — continue to view TSO as a competitive advantage over non-participating businesses from increased exposure to a wider customer base, which eventually boosts the company’s bottom line.