Rabat residents go shopping for chocolate and bargains as new year approaches
LEADIN:
New Year in Morocco means a trip to the shops to stock up on chocolate - and to take advantage of bargains in the winter sales.
STORYLINE:
It's New Year's eve in Rabat and city residents are making their final purchases of 2014.
Sweets play a big part in New Year traditions, says shop manager Salwa Lamghari.
At the end of the year, people go in numbers to this kind of shops selling chocolate and sweets. People like to buy these sweets at this occasion. They buy them for themselves and their relatives. Also, companies buy them for their employees, she explains.
Baker, Tarik Ben Seddik, says the company he works for takes on extra staff during this period to keep up with the crowds.
We try to add new things and be creative to satisfy our customers. Moroccans who have a good taste ask for excellent quality. We are very busy at this time of year and we try to have enough staff to work.
It's also a time to hit the shops, and take advantage of the new year sales.
At the end of the year commercial companies decide to reduce the prices of their goods and this attract lot of clients, explains shop manager Walid Baba Nasr.
At this time of year, companies try to bring in enough money to face the New Year.
And there will soon be another reason to celebrate, with 'Moulid El Nabi' approaching.
It commemorates the day Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad was born.
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