Christmas Market Sees Decline in Trade Compared with 2022

Organisers of the Genuine Jersey Christmas Market say a combination of poor weather and ongoing cost-of-living pressures has led to lower footfall and reduced sales this year.

Market chief executive John Garton said trade had suffered after “two very wet days” and with many shoppers “feeling the pinch” heading into 2025.

“Two very wet days”

While traders reported that visitor numbers were similar to last year, Mr Garton noted this was “not ideal”, particularly as 2024’s market had been disrupted by two named storms and official stay-at-home warnings.

Despite the challenges, some stallholders — all selling locally made goods — said the event had still been valuable for business.

Sarah Matlock of La Robeline Cider Farm stressed the importance of the festive trading period.“We have nothing happening in January, February or March apart from making cider,” she said. “It’s a long winter, so being here and able to trade is really important.”

For first-time participant Neil Cotillard, from The Little Jersey Biltong Company, demand exceeded expectations.“It’s our first year, and it’s been a shock,” he said. “We prepared stock for what we thought would last four weeks, and we sold all of it in the first week.”

He added that he had been working late outside market hours to restock and keep up with customers.

Chocolatier Evelyn Day, who runs Chocadyllic, said she also struggled to stay ahead of demand.“Every year I think I’ll be organised and make enough,” she said. “And every year I end up making more in between. I’m exhausted — but in a good way.”

St Helier Town Centre Manager Connor Burgher encouraged islanders to support local producers, noting that many items available at the market are unique to Jersey.