Traders record high sales amidst panic shopping over COVID-19 fears

With over 200,000 coronavirus cases recorded globally, some individuals who are uncertain about when the wave will end have resorted to panic buying.

This action has also become necessary especially in countries where there’s a total lockdown to contain the spread.

Although Ghana has recorded 11 cases with no death yet, some citizens are alarmed, and have also resorted to panic buying to stock enough for tougher times.

At the Mamprobi Tuesday Market in Accra, traders confirmed that their goods were moving at a faster pace due to increased patronage.

The ravaging virus has claimed over 8,000 lives globally, out of over 200,000 cases, although more than 70,000 have also recovered.

More than half of the countries of the world have recorded cases of the COVID-19, and Ghana is no exception.

The country recorded its 11th Covid-19 case on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

The impact of the disease globally is yet to be fully measured, as it has changed the way people live, communicate and work.

The aviation industry is the worst hit, as restrictions on flights have meant that only fewer people are travelling.

This has had a ripple effect on hospitality and tourism, with some hotels in Ghana already laying off workers and calling on government for tax reliefs.

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association and the Ghana Electrical Dealers Association, as well as the Abossey Okai spare parts dealers association, have all raised alarm over the possible shortage of goods by May 2020, as they’re unable to import from China.

In countries with more cases and drastic measures such as lockdowns, people are buying enough to stock until the situation stabilizes.

Although Ghana’s situation has not reached an alarming level yet, some people are not taking chances, and are shopping enough for safe-keeping.

In some cases, the shelves of some shops were left empty due to the high patronage. But it is certainly a good time for traders to cash in.

At the Mamprobi Tuesday Market, there was brisk business as customers purchased a lot from shops. Some traders who spoke to Citi Business News said they have recorded huge sales largely due to panic buying.

“Today, the market is very busy, with most of them in a hurry to shop quickly and go back home” one trader admitted.

Another said “The coronavirus pandemic has brought a lot of shoppers to the market; and they are buying in bulk for storage purposes. Today sales have been exceptional”.

A third trader also confessed that “Business has been very good, customers are buying a lot and we are even amazed by this”.