CHAIN STORES PRODDED ON LOCAL PRODUCTS
CHAIN
Stores should consider enhanced engagement with local suppliers to ensure availability of products in their supermarkets amid the Covid-19 pandemic, says the Centre for Trade and Development (CTPD).
CTPD Executive Director, Isaac Mwaipopo, emphasised the need for chain stores to work closely with local suppliers especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic when imported products took long to reach the country.
“This is our appeal to chain stores to consider engaging the local producers so that where they have shortfalls in terms of products, local producers can jump in and provide some of those goods and services.
“It can help chain store owners to service in this pandemic because most of them rely on imported products,” Mr Mwaipopo said in an interview.
Mr Mwaipopo observed the need for more resources which could be used to stimulate local activities.
He indicated that the CTPD had seen a sharp rise in new businesses ventures during the Covid-19 period.
CTPD, he said, had observed a number of young people taking advantage of the Covid-19 outbreak by providing services such as delivering fruits and vegetables door to door.
Mr Mwaipopo said the initiative was commendable and should be encouraged.
“There is need to find ways of supporting, especially the local entrepreneurs. In the environment that we are operating in has been very difficult for a lot of businesses to survive.
“We have seen a number of shopping malls closing, we have seen a number of small businesses shutting down as a result of covid-19,” he said.
Mr Mwaipopo observed the need to consider holding meetings with the private sector to find options that could be explored even within the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There is also a bigger challenge in that we have a policy that tries to encourage people to stay at home and keep safe, so as a result of that, a number of producers have challenges in terms of getting buyers for their goods and services.
“This will go on for some time until maybe we find a vaccine for Covid-19,” he said.
There is need to find ways of supporting, the local entrepreneurs. The environment that we are operating in has been very difficult for a lot of businesses to survive.