Buy Dominica Supercenter has moved to a new location.
The company, which first opened its doors on December 1st, 2015 on King George V Street, Roseau is now located at the Roseau Market.
President of the Dominica Manufacturers Association (DMA), Severin McKenzie, made the announcement at the official opening of the ‘Buy Dominica Campaign’ which is being held during the month of September.
Mckenzie said he hopes the location will be a permanent home for locally manufactured products.
“The Buy Dominica concept was developed just about three years ago when we had the first Buy Dominica Expo in Roseau and we continued on a number of occasions, and then on the 1st of December last year we established the first Buy Dominica Supercenter on King George V Street.” He continued, “We are pleased to announce that as of today [Thursday 1st September] the Buy Dominica Supercenter has relocated right here in the Roseau Market with the support of DEXIA and the Roseau Market Authority, and the Ministry of Commerce and Small Business Enterprise Development.”
He said the new location was not “not fully ready but assured that it was “almost there.”
The DMA president expressed appreciation for the assistance given by the Ministry of Commerce, “particularly the permanent secretary, Mrs. Esther Thomas and the Minister Miss Roslyn Paul who, he said collaborated with the company in making possible, the relocation of the shop.
He called on manufacturers to take advantage of the opportunities that are being provided.
The main activities for the Buy Dominica Campaign include the ‘Buy Dominica Fair’ on September 23rd, an awards ceremony for product and service providers carded for September 29th and a symposium for both the manufacturing and services sector on September 15th, along with media events.
“The main aim of this campaign is to bring attention to the local products and services of Dominica, so we will be promoting the need to support and purchase local products and services, but also emphasizing the need to increase capacity and quality for international sales growth,” McKenzie stated
The Roseau Market does not lend itself to the image that this business should be reaching for. granted the rent may be cheaper but you want to promote many of our products like the honeys, bath and body products, the herbal infused coconut oils, the specialty rum cakes etc. I have no issues with going to the Roseau Market for fresh produce, however, these products sold at the “Super Center” are of a different type and the atmosphere of the Roseau Market doesnt appeal to the image that they be given. You want this store somewhere like at the airport or at the ferry terminal where guest can feel comfortable to easily find local products.
Is Coca-Cola a Dominican product???
Coca-Cola in Dominica is a rip-off. It is made in St. Lucia and distributed in Dominica by an exclusive distributor, retailing for E.C.$.11.00 for a 2-ltr. bottle. There is no duty payable between St./ Lucia and Dominica. In the U.K., Tesco, a large grocery chain has an offer for 2×1.75lt. bottles for a total of £2.00 (= E.C. 7.19, the equivalent of E.C.4.19 for 2 Lt!, less than half the price in Dominica. I am not surprised the local distributor decided not to invest in a new bottling plant. It is far easier to turn a profit with an exclusive distribution deal from St. Lucia! QWe need more competition and ban exclusive distribution, which is not good for the consumer.
There used to be a coca cola factory at cane field back in the day in the 1950’s and 1960’s located next to the Shell gas station. They were genuine class bottles.
Mc Kenzies efforts are commendable but local production development requires bold initiatives-policy and legislative as were taken by the LABOUR PARTY Government of Edward Oliver Leblanc in the 1970’s! The local merchant/importing sector must be made by such measures to support local manufacturing!
Why they promoting Coca-Cola that is not manufactured here but in St. Lucia?? A joke that is.
Is coca cola the only thing you see on the shelves? typical domincans to bypass the good and only focus on the bad.
Great initiative, from a son of the soil, comining from the Esat with vision, and working together with all stakes holders, for the advancement of country. Win. Loose, or draw we all in this together, Dominica is our`s to Build. Ask what you can do for your Country, Not what your country can do for you”! In my opinion thats the proper location for the super Center, a nautral location, that marry it self with the other activities at that location. Wish all of us will support the exercise, put our money where our mouth is to push our Country to the next Level, and Eat what we produce, and produce what we Eat. From the best stuff on Earth, second to none. Embrace it!!! ### Dominica Wins!!!
This is an amazing opportunity. It needs more exposure in the media for sure