The old City Market at South Beach should be open by Christmas, Guardian Business can reveal, marking the second Quality Supermarket outlet in the capital. President of Super Value Rupert Roberts said the company has targeted the festive season in order to take advantage of a 50 percent spike in sales. The South Beach location would mean dozens of jobs for Bahamians at a crucial time of the year.
It would also be the second store to open under the new brand, following the Quality Supermarket launch on Cable Beach. "We want to be open for Christmas. That is the big goal," Roberts said. "Christmas means a lot of business. Sales are up 50 percent, then after sales are down 50 percent. By January everyone has spent their money. It's mid-February by the time the consumers catch themselves and get back to normal spending."
The grand re-opening of the old City Market store will coincide with the launch of the second Solomon's Fresh Market at Christmas. Rival retailer AML Foods is eagerly anticipating the introduction of the new, high-end concept to the eastern part of New Providence. Solomon's Fresh Market has enjoyed considerable success at its first location at the Old Fort Bay Town Centre. "We have been very surprised by how well it is doing in the west," said Gavin Watchorn, the CEO of AML Foods.
"It has exceeded expectations, and we've had a huge demand in eastern New Providence for the store. They love the concept and format, so we have been given the opportunity to do this." However, Roberts believes Solomon's Fresh Market will "hit some problems" when it opens out east. "The prices are high and I don't think they'll have enough volume out there. They might make it in the west through Lyford Cay.
I think if it's everyday grouches and low prices, they will have a problem," the president said. Estimating that only five percent of Bahamians fit the price point, Roberts told Guardian Business that Super Value and Quality Supermarkets cater to "across the board", helping everyday families put food on the table. He explained that many of his stores are undergoing a "facelift" over the next few months, noting the success of Maxwell's in Abaco and hoping to bring the capital's supermarkets to a similar standard.
The Quality Supermarkets on Cable and South Beach will receive some "remodeling", he explained. "When stores were new, they had a standard. Lipstick, powder and paint can only go so far. Then you have to remodel," Roberts said. The president added that the equipment has arrived for the South Beach store. Work has now begun as the company marched towards a Christmas opening.
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