Economic slump takes a bite out of sale of flowers, candles

The economic crisis is also taking a toll on sellers of flowers and candles during All Saints’ Day, even as one shop reported a positive trend.

Island Florals & Gifts manager Philip Canuto said the economic crisis the CNMI is experiencing has not affected the shop’s sales during this occasion.

Canuto said they even ran out of candles and that orders for flowers kept coming in, especially fresh ones.

Saipan is predominantly Catholic, so tradition, according to him, might have something to do with the big number of people buying from their shop.

“I can’t see any difference compared to previous years. It has nothing to do with the economic crisis but the people’s strong religious ties,” said Canuto.

“There’s no effect really,” he added.

But for other sellers, such as Dollar Days, there is a big decline in sales compared to last year’s.

Florist Dominic Jacob observed that their orders have gone down in both their Garapan and Susupe shops.

Usually, he said, most of their arranged flowers, both fresh and artificial, are sold out even before Nov. 1, unlike this year when they have some excess.

Jenny Mafnas, who puts up a stall along Beach Road on a yearly basis, also saw a decline in buyers compared to previous years.

Maria Castro and her children, who visited their relatives’ grave at the cemetery in Chalan Kanoa, came with homegrown flowers they arranged themselves.

“We usually do this. Sometimes we also buy because it’s part of the tradition to offer flowers, especially fresh ones, to our loved ones who have died. This is a way of showing respect to them,” she said.

Flower arranger Edgar Diaz of Blossoms Floral in Gualo Rai said a number of their regular customers did not come back because most now go to stores, which sell plastic flowers at a lower price.

He said they even lowered their prices from $75 to $65 a basket but their sales have really gone down.

Paradise Florist, which is located along Middle Road in Garapan, also felt the brunt of the economic downtrend.

Robert Barcelo, who has been arranging flowers for the shop for the past 10 years, said most of their regular customers did not show up this time.

He observed that their customers prefer items with the lowest price compared to previous years.

The shop’s lowest price is $25; less 30 percent, they charge $17 per item now.

Usually, he said, even their most expensive items, costing $120, could easily be sold out.