More sellers than buyers? Vendors in downtown, Kingston, are complaining about a slump in sales. As prices across the country rise, more shoppers are cutting back. - Norman Grindley /Deputy Chief Photographer

Streetside vending is never easy and the more prices rise, the more shoppers are cutting back. This means vendors have been forced to work extra hard to break even.

Rose is a longtime vendor, who works in downtown, Kingston.

"People just look and walk away. We try to get them to buy but, as you can see, it slow," she said.

Rose said her job requires her to be at her stall every day, except Sundays.

"I have to come out every day because I can't really predict how much sales I going to get on a given day. Sometimes, I come and I can count pon three finga how much sale I get, and some days it better."

Business is slow ...

Rose, along with some of her competitors (other roadside vendors), all agree that business has been slow in recent times but hope that things will pick up as the 'back-to-school' period approaches.

Marva, who runs a stall near to Rose's, said that while there are hardly any shoppers around now, she hopes things will get better.

"Well, yuh see, I just a keep the faith. I just a wait and see what happen like all next week because, me a tell you, it rough, cause all when you come out and just get all one small sale for the day, and you don't see any way out. Mi a hold the faith though," she said.

Already having to contend with the lack of sales, some vendors say they have to also deal with what they say is harassment from members of the police force. They say while they try to attract a few customers, they have to be on the lookout for the police.

"Sometimes, when you a try get a sale, the police dem just come round and we haffi splurt. Mi memba one time mi deal with a customer and I go spot some a come, mi couldn't even warn the lady a did jus haffi tek up mi box wid mi tings and run leave her there standing. I did feel bad still, but what to do?" Rose said.

But not all is bad. Nadine Jolly, who also goes by the name Dionne, said business has been going well for her. Based at the intersection of Harris Street and Spanish Town Road in the Rose Town community of St Andrew, Dionne said since she started selling her items, close to a year ago, things have been going well. She has stocked up on flowers and pillows.

... but it can be fruitful

"They support me. People from the area and also people who pass me on the road."

Nadine works every day, except Wednesdays and Sundays. She notes that every day she works, she finds it a fruitful and productive day.

"I can't really complain, to tell you the truth, everything really sell, but the flowers go faster. People just love how the flowers look, especially how I set them up."

Standing at her stall, anxiously awaiting customers, Dionne constantly adjusts her items on display. According to her, appearance is critical.

"You see, you have to set up the things a way, to attract people. People like to see things neat and I like when things neat too."

Her success has given her more motivation to continue with her line of work. She is now contemplating exploring other avenues.

"Well, you have back-to-school and Christmas coming up and, you see, next year have nuff other things too, because you have Valentine's Day, Father's Day and Mother's Day and, you know, other stuff will come up, so I think I can sell things for those occasions."