Malta’s retailers welcome customers back after almost two months shut

Malta’s retailers and non-essential services have begun welcoming customers back after almost two months of closures.

As the country slowly exits its latest quasi-lockdown, with a series of restrictions having been in place since early March, retailers speaking to BusinessNow.mt last week expressed a mixture of excitement and relief at today’s reopening date.

And, as the country eyes 1st June as its target date to reopen to international tourism, a series of incentives and aid schemes have been announced to help Malta’s economic recovery ramp up.

One key measure geared to the local economy, the second round of COVID-19 vouchers, is highly anticipated by the local business community as it will give all residents aged 16 and over €60 for accommodation, restaurants and Malta Tourism Authority licensed establishments, and €40 for retail outlets, with voucher denominations of €10 and €15.

Reports indicated that vouchers will begin to be issued once restaurants reopen, currently set for 10th March, while SME Chamber CEO Abigail Mamo has called on Government to begin roll out once retail businesses reopen, that is today, to help businesses boost sales after six weeks of closure.

Local shops and services welcome back customers

In the meantime, shops and salons have been busy preparing for what they hope will be a busy reopening period

Local clothes shops are taking the opportunity to advertise their latest spring/summer collections, after having been shut during the winter season

Hair and beauty salons, in the meantime, are scrambling to make up for lost bookings during the most recent closure period, with customers keen to get back to their standard hair, skin and nail routines.

Some salons are taking the opportunity to launch new offers in a bid to attract clients back.

Malta’s record shops are also keen to reopen their doors, with the hopes that pent up demand will make up for lost time.