As part of its 25th anniversary in business, A. Ally & Sons General Store will give away $8 million in prizes to Berbicians through various activities.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fizal Ally told the media on Tuesday that the money also includes the grand prize of a car for this year’s Christmas bonanza which would be drawn next February.
To mark the silver milestone this month, he said that along with the first and second prizes, lucky customers would receive 25 consolation prizes of $25,000 each, redeemable at the store for any item of their choice.
The young and old would not be left out of the giveaways and 25 students from schools across East Berbice who have performed well along with 25 elderly persons would be identified for cash prizes of $25,000 each.
Ally pointed out that the activities for this month include a bicycle race with national cyclists, as well as a chess competition. Spelling Bee competitions, involving participants from about 15 schools in East Berbice would also be held. Winners in each competition would walk away with prizes.
A special prize would be given to any customer who can produce the oldest invoice from the store as well as for suppliers who have been associated with the business for the past 22 years.
On selected days customers would be treated to refreshments at all of the four branches while there would be a special activity for hardworking staff.
There would also be live shows on television hosted by Nazim Hussain of the Galaxy 21 Communications where special prizes would be given away to persons for just calling in and mentioning the name of the store.
Hussain, who is coordinating the events for the company pointed out that other forms of promotion include supplements in the daily newspapers that would be sponsored by other companies as well as the “launching of the 25th anniversary jingle.”
The CEO told the media that they are “moving up with technology” and are looking to launch a website this month and to promote purchasing online.
A. Ally & Sons General Store started out as a furniture store in New Amsterdam in 1985, after the owner, Ahmad Ally, 60, (Ally’s father) resigned from his job with the Guyana Sugar Corporation.
That was followed by the opening of the general store at Main & Cooper Lane, New Amsterdam which stocks items including electrical and home appliances, computers and software, CDs and DVDs and bicycles.
Another branch, the A. Ally &Sons Showroom was then opened at Sheet Anchor, East Canje. The business then continued to expand with the establishment of A. Ally & Sons Home Depot at Strand, NA and with another branch at Corriverton.
Ally said they are also looking to open branches at Rose Hall, Corentyne and on the West Coast Berbice.
He commented that purchasing directly from manufacturers has “helped the business to stay on top of the market.”
Ally gave praise to Allah for the success of the business and said they have lived up to their slogan of “Making Life Better One Day at a Time” for Berbicians.
