Exuberant spending on Chinese New Year has been on the rise of late. More and more Cambodians take days off work to enjoy the festive occasion. Chinese restaurants say the number of people choosing to eat out over the Lunar New Year is growing fast. And marketplaces are abuzz with people purchasing food and gifts. But business is not thriving for everyone. Market vendors interviewed selling fruit, flowers and various Chinese culinary offering widely complained of poor sales when compared to previous years. In fact, it seems the only people talking of higher profits were the meat vendors who are talking advantage a rise in prices.
“‘This year is in no way better than last year or the previously year in 2009,” said Tey Chan Bopha, a flower vendor at Phsa Tuol Tom Poung market (Russian Market) who had spent 20 million riels, or about $5,000, fresh flowers from Vietnam to sell during the festivities. While last year her makeshift street business made profits of $500 over the course of three days, this year it has only resulted in about half that amount, she said. Other vendors selling cakes, fruits and plants followed suit with complaints of low level of consumer spending.
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