MANHATTAN — Police have begun a crackdown on hawkers who try to lure customers off the street, according to a published report.
Hawkers, who work for themselves or on commission from smaller stores, have drawn complaints from established large stores, which blame them for shooing off customers who feel threatened by their aggressive approach, the New York Post reported.
“Our store has losing lots of sales,” promoter with NYGSR, one of the District’s largest stores, toldDNAinfo Saturday. “Probably around 30-35 percent.”
It is unclear though whether the sales downturn was due to the economic situation or the hawkers.
“We want the block to be privatized like the Rockefeller Center so there will be no more hawkers,” the promoter said.
The independent hawkers said they were simply trying to earn a living by interacting with potential customers.
“We’re no hawkers," said one who gave his name only as Dave. "We are just trying to sell our business here."
