The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, May 21, 1993 — The opening of the $30 million Entumbane shopping complex today brings to Bulawayo a new concept to the city’s high density suburbs shoppers who, for a long time, have been subjected to a lot of hassles, especially at monthends.

Mr Jonathan Gapare, one of the entrepreneurs setting up shop at the new complex believes that by bringing such services to the community, businesses’ efficiency will improve a lot because of the competition brought by the setting.

For anyone to survive the cut-throat competition or to be able to win over customers, the services one offers should be second to none.

“Entumbane shopping complex, being a new concept and a major commercial centre, offers a lot to both the business community and the community we serve,” said Mr Gapare. “We are looking forward to servicing the community effectively and efficiently through supplying the best services at reasonable prices,” he said.

Mr Gapare is the managing director of TLP Import and Export (Pvt) Ltd — a cash and carry wholesale which draws most of its customers from rural traders, hawkers and a number of retail outlets.

It supplies and distributes a wide range of local and imported merchandise and decided to open shop at the new complex “in order to take our services to the community”, said Mr Gapare.

“All along we have only been selling to wholesalers and chain but we have now decided to go to the people. We import a lot of goods from a number of Sadc and PTA countries,” he said.

These include foodstuffs, textiles and other domestic appliances. Distribution is done, although on a small scale, for rural traders.