With the recent closures at City Market, a leading wholesaler says Solomon's Fresh Market is "picking up the slack" and "filling a void" in the industry.
Robert Pritchard, the Vice President of ASA H. Pritchard Ltd, sat down with Guardian Business to discuss the current business landscape.
"We've seen a little bit of a positive over the last couple of months - I would say up 2 or 3 percent," he said.
"I don't think the numbers could get any lower than last year at this time. Fortunately, AML Foods seems to be picking up the slack and filling a void."
Last month, the CEO of AML Foods, Gavin Watchorn, expressed confidence that Solomon's Fresh Market could quickly grow to two or three stores, with the first supermarket slated to open in November.
He said the company was "very confident" in the future and there was "room for more stores".
Pritchard echoed the executive's confidence.
"I already consider it a chain - through AML Foods," he added.
Going forward, whether it be AML Foods or another company, Pritchard expressed the hope that someone already in the business would step up. He felt Super Value was the only chain out there, right now, with "a full inventory and a full parking lot".
He also wished City Market well.
"I'd like to see some of these City Markets come back online," Pritchard said.
On September 15, City Market exclusively informed Guardian Business that two stores would be permanently closed and another two temporarily shut for repairs.
South Beach and Seagrapes locations in New Providence are expected to reopen in early 2012.
Looking at the rest of the wholesale business, Pritchard said, of the thousands of products they import and distribute, 85 percent currently come from the U.S. and the rest from Europe, South America and other places. However, South America is on the upswing, he pointed out, as the products have risen in quality and continue to offer lower prices.
"Twenty years ago, if you said you were bringing chicken in from South America, they would have looked at you funny," he told Guardian Business.
"The products there have vastly improved and they enjoy a price advantage. Items tend to be around 10 percent cheaper."
In addition to chicken, sugar is a hot product coming out of South America, he added. Evaporated milk, juices and canned corned beef are other promising products.
"There are several U.S. companies building plants over there," Pritchard said.
"I think they will definitely be offering more products."

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