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In New York, customers flock to the last Christmas shopping. But the party will be less lavish this year: with inflation and supply problems, Christmas is expensive.
With our correspondent in New York, Loubna Anaki
Installed on a street corner, Michael Grippo dismantles his tree stand. Every year for thirty years he has moved here for a month before Christmas. This year, he had to increase his prices because of the higher cost of transportation.
« These costs must be passed on somewhere, explains the trader. But since we prefer to avoid making the customer pay 20-30% more, we still suffer losses.. »
And the Christmas tree is not the only one to cost more. In question : l’inflation and supply issues. Some have had to make choices so as not to exceed their budget.
« We limited our purchases, admits a client. It won’t be a Christmas with a lot of presents. »
« It’s hard, another nods. Everything has increased so much. I have six grandchildren, before I bought them 2-3 gifts, this time it will be one each. »
Arms laden with bags, Felicia has just stepped out of a discount store.
« I’m looking for good deals, she says. I don’t budge if it’s no deal. And in the end, it didn’t cost me too much. »
She still recognizes that it will not be as festive as she hoped, because of the prices, but also because of the new wave of Covid-19.
« It doesn’t look like Christmas, she resigns herself. But what matters is the family, that we are all alive. »
Authorities say the cost of Christmas has increased 6% since the start of the pandemic. The largest increase recorded since 2013.
►Also read: United States: inflation weighs on Americans’ budgets as the holiday season approaches
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