Youth debate: Late night shopping in Mauritius

Around the world, late night shopping has become a reality. In Mauritius this phenomenon exists mostly during festive periods. A few years ago, concepts like 24/7 were being organised occasionally in some areas. Since two years now, Porlwi By Light is attracting people. However, it has been subjected to a lot of criticism. Mauritius is regarded as a tourist destination but still we lack development when it comes to leisure, entertainment and shopping.

Tariq Jhungeer: “Mauritius should definitely promote late night shopping”

If you have a close look at the population of Mauritius, then you will surely see that nowadays almost everyone is busy at work, argues Tariq. There are people who even work 24/7 or even during public holidays. “Taking this into consideration Mauritius should definitely promote late shopping more often in order to cater for the needs of the working class people. Although they are busy at work during the whole day, at least shopping at night would be an option for them. However, this can lead to various abuses. For instance, it is very common to be attacked by pickpockets during the day itself. Anyone can imagine this taking place at night as well. So people will not feel safe to go out late at night. Therefore, there should be police patrol in every shopping corner and mall so as not to allow these kinds of abuse to take place. Moreover, security cameras also should be placed everywhere and through this, robbers will think twice before committing similar crimes. If proper precautionary measures are taken into consideration, then it is really safe to organize late night shopping more often in Mauritius.”

Jyotee Derochoonee: “Risks associated with late night shopping” 

Jyotee highlights that promoting late night shopping in Mauritius has both its negative and positive points. “Late night shopping exists around the world but in Mauritius, it is a rare concept. It is only during festive seasons that some shops are still open late but in some region only. Late night shopping can be promoted in Mauritius. However, there are some risks. Another factor is the availability of transport. Not every Mauritian has a car. So it will be difficult for some people to take advantage of such events.” 

Maloupe Marie Glorine: “Developing economic gains”

Mauritius, despite being a dot on the world map, is famous for its touristic sights, says Maloupe. “More than 50,000 foreigners from every corner of the world visit our paradise island annually for sun, sea, sand, sightseeing and shopping. For a better promotion of our rainbow island, the Ministry of Tourism is leaving no stones unturned in implementing recreational events. For the betterment of the tourism industry, late shopping should be promoted. The benefits that surround late shopping are numerous. Late shopping develops economic gains for wholesalers, satisfaction for customers as well as comfort for persons who have barely the time to shop. From another perspective, late shopping offers many tourists the opportunity to discover the Mauritian Culture. Shopping is not only to buy from shop to shop; it is also to discover the typical Mauritian Cuisine as well as products made in Mauritius. The recent 24/7 concept which took place at Port-Louis in 2009 was successful.  Many fast foods, shops at that time have participated and the response which we have witnessed from the public was phenomenal. Sponsorship from stakeholders and efficient planning for late shopping could make the Mauritian’s economy prosper and should be organized once in a year.”

Veerendra Koshna: “This requires a complete re-engineering of infrastructure” 

Late night shopping is still a new term locally since shops are closed early in Mauritius, states Veerendra. “It’s only because shops are closed normally around 18:00 or 19:00 that we call it “late shopping” when shops are closed later. Before promoting late  night shopping in Mauritius, policy-makers may have to delve into the reasons that shops still close early in Mauritius. Questions arise whether Mauritians are ready for late shopping more often. This shall involve reaching a critical mass of both consumers and sellers. Shopkeepers should be available to open their shops till later and consumers should also be willing to shop at these late hours. This requires a complete re-engineering of the current local infrastructure going from transport to security.”

He further adds “late night shopping events involve consumers, sellers, policy-makers and the police. As such, their planning should involve these four sectors of society. When everyone feels heard and concerned, these late night events shall be planned well and critics shall be constructive. We really do not want another radiant Port-Louis by night where its roads are decorated with litter in the morning. There is a serious lack of education or lack of civil responsibility; which needs to be tackled. A possible beginning can be to teach our children these civil responsibilities to ensure that at least the next generation will be wiser than the present one.”

Hima Balkee: “Relieve daily stress”

Hima argues that the Mauritian cannot go shopping during the day as it does not suit their working hours. “Mauritius should promote late night shopping more often as it plays an important role of the country’s economy.  Besides, it is exactly the night time economy along with the activities organized and projects running on the hours of the day, after the street lights turn on which change the whole image of the routine daily life of Mauritian. This is so in the sense that to encourage people to come and live the experience of night shopping and relieve daily stress.  The Mauritian will get the opportunity to enjoy the amenities of their favourite food, drinks and at same time experiencing the best music and entertainment during night shopping.” 

She further advocates “tourists from around the world will also join the night life after long tour plans and enjoy the shopping experience.  It is very important to organize these activities on our Island especially for the tourism industry.  Thus, merchants will also realize higher shifts of sales which means more profits to cover the increase expenses associated with employment and power usage at night hours.”

However, as highlighted by the young lady, night life in Mauritius may cause interacting with people under the influence and this may lead to irresponsible acts and conflicts with others. “Visitors and merchants may face assault issues preventing them to join these amenities in the future. There might be an increase in road accidents.  In such cases, the Government should organize a qualified door security with an aptitude for conflict resolution without the use of physical force. Examples should be taken as in Australia where surveillance network system controls the different areas of the city and night voice and video recordings at the night clubs and streets around the public areas and shopping spots to revitalize the local economies and reduce crimes and conflicts by detecting the suspected people and ensure public safety.  In Singapore also, CCTV surveillance system have been implemented as it links pubs, nightclubs and police officers together in the night time hour’s activities.  Thus, same should be applied for our country’s safety.  The Government should hire more police security to ensure safety over the Island and to avoid any negative impact of the drunken people and the unethical behaviours.”

Moozafar Cheergally: “Late night shopping helps business to evolve”  

Moozafar states that late night shopping should be more often organised in Mauritius. “With the modernisation of the Mauritians lifestyle, a higher standard of living, people tend to change with time. After hours spent at work, late night shopping can allow people to enjoy some leisure time alongside their families. Mauritius depends most on the tourism industry and this can attract more tourists to come over again. The authorities are doing a great job by organising festivals like Porlwi by Light; allowing people to do shopping till late at night. But what’s the use of these festivals when the day after the festivals, the city is full of garbage. This kind of mentality should change. This will only discourage authorities from organizing such festivals. Late night shopping should be more frequent. It allows people to enjoy leisure as well as helps businesses to evolve and grow in size and boost the tourism industry.”

Farheen Mosafur: “A way to promote tourism” 

Porlwi by Light festival is a great example of how to promote late night shopping in Mauritius, says Farheen. “The authorities should organise such events in other parts of Mauritius as well. Usually in Mauritius, there is a conception that all businesses should be closed at around 7 in the evening except shopping malls. By promoting late night shopping, it helps businesses to make good profits as well as to make our cities livelier. Leisure time is also important in life. Nowadays with heavy workloads during the day at work, people hardly get enough time for entertaining themselves. So, late night shopping give them time to enjoy themselves with family and friends after work. Mauritius depends mostly on the tourism sector. Since tourists from all over the world come to Mauritius for vacation, most of them Europeans ones, night life in Europe and in Mauritius is not the same. Promoting late night shopping can attract more tourists helping in boosting the economy.”