On the occasion of the CTG Grand Christmas Market, we went to meet the businesses and artisans who sell their products there with a question: are these operations profitable? Anthology of answers.
The Christmas market is where you have to show off!
Allan Lasales, Ruthy's Dolls
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I go to the Kourou Christmas market and the CTG one. Before, I also went to Saint-Laurent, but the climate is no longer livable. That's my feeling so I prefer not to go there anymore. For 7 years, I have been making dresses with my mother, Ruthy. We sell them in shopping centers. We do not have a store to avoid fixed charges. This allows us to adapt more easily when times are tough. The Christmas market is where you have to show off! Especially since we sell festive, traditional things. The public is demanding.
People buy little
Nathalie Prudent, Ti Poys
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This is my first time participating in the CTG Christmas market. I also participated in the Matoury market last week, also for the first time. I have no basis for comparison to say if it works better this time. Friday and Saturday, there were people, but people didn't buy much. To take part in this market, I paid 250 euros for the stand, I think I will break even but it will be fair. I sell decorative items, some made from recycled materials, and small toys for children. My sister runs a food stall, I think this type of stall works best.
Good visibility to reach a different audience
Denis Duvigneau, Kolekt'Or Guyane
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Before, I did several markets, notably that of Rémire-Montjoly. But it took place just before Christmas. Now, I only target two markets, Macouria and CTG, to have time for my family. Being present in this market is important : this allows you to have good visibility and reach a different audience that you don't see elsewhere. There are still people who are discovering Kolekt'Or even though we have existed since 2013. In two days, we had good sales, in particular thanks to our offers of 20 CDs for 150 euros.
Visibility for our new products
-Jo Morel, L'atelier de Jo
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I only do two markets : that of the CTG and the Kourou Artisans Village, which I organize. I have a lot of points of sale, but events like these allow us to have visibility for our new products. We reach people and we make good sales. Generally speaking, there are events that are unmissable, such as the Tourism Fair and Made in Guyana. They drain people. Even if we have been here for 20 years, as the population of Guyana is rotating, we always meet new people who don't know us.
Good sales
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I am from Kourou and I only target two Christmas markets : that of Kourou, and that of the CTG. The manufacturing time it takes for each piece does not allow me to make more markets so I was forced to select them. There are a lot of people here and I have had good sales.
I offer exclusives for the Christmas market
Zita Jeangoudoux, Abbeill’Or
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Last year, I was present at two Christmas markets : that of the CTG and another, very small, at the rectorate.
The CTG Christmas market is the largest that I know of and attracts a lot of people. This is where you make your turnover ! This market is essential for sales but also for visibility. I have several points of sale for my nougat, my honey and my caramel. But here, I offer products that are exclusives for the Christmas market : peyi redcurrant jam, mead, beeswax candles, and Lekerlis, small cakes made with honey and ginger.
It's profitable
Mélina Gobardham, Mo bokit box
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My takeaway business has been running for three years and this is the first time I have participated in a Christmas market. I chose this one because there is a good crowd. It's profitable and it makes me want to do other markets.
