Shops in town were a hive of activity on Saturday as families and individuals did last minute shopping before the stores closed for the White Sunday long weekend.

Stalls run by local small to medium-sized entrepreneurs at the TV1 White Sunday market at Malaeafatu Park were no different, as shoppers hoping for a good bargain before the businesses closed went to the area in numbers.

Litea Iosefa, 45, of Saleaumua village told the Samoa Observer that she was in town for last minute shopping, as she expected prices to drop though she acknowledged that costs overall have gone up.

The journey into town had its challenges with Litea revealing she waited a few hours for the bus, but was determined to get into town to capitalise on any discount sales. 

But it was the increase in prices for White Sunday-associated items that caught her eyes. 

“It is more expensive and it has gone up to $100 where my budget cannot fit it,” she said.

“Not only with the prices of the shoes, clothes and food, but it was with anything and everything else." 

For 22 year-old Niulia Peauvasa of Siumu village, Saturday was her only free day as she was busy during the week with her children being in school.

“Today was the only time we could come because we travel all the way from Siumu,” she said.

Mrs. Peauvasa has a 2-year-old girl and a son called Joseph, whom his mother says has come of age and will be reciting his Bible verse on White Sunday.

Discussing the overall cost of White Sunday-associated items, Mrs. Peauvasa said she thought the prices were not too high or too low.

“Even so, we still buy it for the sake of our children as it is their special day after all,” she said. 

Her eldest son, Joseph Peauvasa and her mother Aui’i Fata accompanied her as they went around to shop before the White Sunday celebrations set in.