The first phase of the new multimillion dollar National Hardware Super Centre situated on the Industrial Site at Ruimveldt is scheduled to be opened by the end of February. The new shopping facility, the second largest of its kind in the country, will offer customers hardware supplies, building materials, household goods and other consumer goods. The complex includes delivery bays, warehouse facilities, administrative offices, and a customer services department.
Last Wednesday, in an exclusive interview with Stabroek Business owner and Managing Director of the National Hardware Group Edward Boyer said that the new Super Centre was “an investment in further modernizing the commercial culture in Guyana by placing particular emphasis on a high standard of customer service and customer conveniences. The Super Centre is expected to provide more than 100 new jobs.
The opening of the first phase of the Super Centre for business will come just over a year after the commencement of the project in December 2005 and Boyer told Stabroek Business that initial preparation included revetment works and the rehabilitation of kokers in the area in the wake of the 2005 floods.
Patterned after such internationally renowned North American Super Centres as Walmart and Target the new shopping complex provides an imposing view for travellers entering the city from the East Bank highway. To further facilitate shoppers the company has constructed a new bridge that directly links the Super Centre to the highway.
According to Boyer the new Super Centre embraces the contemporary “one stop” concept that saves shoppers both the cost and the effort associated with having to shop at several locations. He said that the merging of several services into a single operation also facilitates a more effective operation and a more convenient delivery service.
Final preparations for the opening of the new multistorey facility will see the installation of an elaborate Information Technology (IT) infrastructure which Boyer said will serve the dual purpose of security and monitoring and supporting the day-to-day administration of the complex. In keeping with the pricing culture that obtains at North American Super Centres National Hardware will be offering prices to its customers “based on bulk.”
Meanwhile Boyer told Stabroek Business that National Hardware has recently signed an agreement with DIGICEL under which the Super Centre has secured a franchise to set up an outlet to market the cellular phones, accessories and services being offered by the cellular service provider. The franchise will also allow National Hardware to offer customers in-store DIGICEL promotions.
The second phase of the Super Centre will see the significant expansion of its delivery facility while the third phase includes the establishment of a huge delivery warehouse. Boyer said that there was a fourth phase to the venture which, for the moment, he preferred to describe as ‘a surprise.”
Boyer told Stabroek Business that one of his lingering concerns as the opening of the Super Centre draws closer is the state of the Industrial Site access road which runs past the main entrance to the complex. He said that the present condition of the road was due mainly to its use by heavy vehicles associated with the East Bank highway project and expressed the view that steps should be taken to have the contractors meet the cost of repairs.
