THE BULK Shop on Tuesday opened its fourth outlet in the heart of Chinatown – bringing itself to direct competition with mostly Chinese shops in this popular shopping district.
It was not only the fourth, but also the biggest outlet of the three and located in the company’s newly built building.
Company director Adam Bartlett said this latest outlet was a result of a lot of hard work and investment.
“The aim of opening up this new branch here in Chinatown is to bring our service closer to the people,” Mr Bartlett said.
He added this new shop will serve people living at Tuvaruhu, Mable Street, Vara Creek, Number 3, Koloale and those within and around Chinatown.
“Honiara has seen a number of growing suburbs, large neighbourhoods and informal settlements that our Chinatown location aims to serve.
“Often people wish to shop close to home and usually buy enough for their meal. By locating at this junction to Tuvaruhu, Number 3, Vara Creek, Marble Street, Koloale, Koa Hill, we should be able to serve our customers well,” Mr Bartlett said.
He added they also carry stock and offer discounts to canteens, mom and pop shops.
“As part of celebrating Christmas and the opening of our forth shop the first 100 customers up until Christmas day get a cool fan and a branded coffee mug,” Mr Adam said.
He added that since the establishment of the first Bulk shop in Honiara in 1992, the company worked hard to make sure they bring their service closer to the people.
Apart from service, Mr Bartlett said the new shop also created job opportunities for young people.
“As we continue to improve this business, we are also creating jobs for the country,” Mr Bartlett.
Bulk Shop was established with the vision of getting goods at an affordable price to Solomon Islanders.
Mr Bartlett said the Bulk Shop concept was a reproduction of the New Zealand Bin Inn concept where basic products: sugar, flour, salt and popcorn could be bought at the customers’ chosen quantity.
To date this concept has evolved and currently Bulk Shop is the largest non-Chinese owned shop in the Solomon Islands’ food industry.
He said Bulk Shop began with one retail wholesale shop in 1992. Now they have one wholesale and three retail shops in Honiara.
Bulk Shop’s retail shops are in three key locations in Honiara; Central Market, Point Cruz and Kukum.
Bulk Shop has been providing food products and services to the Solomon Islands for over 20 years.
Mr Bartlett said in its mid to long-term strategic plans, Bulk Shop aims to be the most prominent importer and distributor of food products in Solomon Islands.
The range of goods offered by Bulk Shop serve the whole population; with goods that serve the lower income earners to resorts, hotels and expatriates.
Bulk Shop also aims to be the most innovative food importer and distributer in the Solomon Islands continually expanding its market share.
“Bulk Shop enjoys continuous growth; it endeavours to challenge itself to be different as it serves the people of the Solomon Islands,” Mr Bartlett said.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
