Hundreds flock “re-load and re-launch” One Mart for low prices
Last evening Wednesday November 30, 2011, hundreds of shoppers were seen grabbing trolleys of items from the store and capitalizing on many prices that are compared to what is offered in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands where every week boat loads of residents often traverse to benefit from such deals.
While the sale was to originally start today December 1, for the store’s 25th anniversary, customers did not wait and were welcomed. “I am not going to St. Thomas again, this is it,” said a very jovial shopper whose only concern was that the deals offered for the celebrations were not one-off prices.
Another shopper, who said she has been a staunch supporter of One Mart, said she was very pleased to see the come back of the store to offer another great option to shop in the Virgin Islands and she is further impressed with the prices.There was one shopper who didn’t want to lose out from any deals and grabbed several cases of caprisun into his trolley saying loudly, “Dunno if it will continue, I take when I get it.”
Mark Vanterpool owner of One Mart Superstore was on hand last evening to greet customers as they entered the store.
In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online, Mr. Vanterpool assured customers that the great prices is not a one-off deal and One Mart be keeping the prices low. “This is not just for Christmas or our anniversary, these prices are going to be good for a long time we are going to bring all kinds of things and selling them at very good prices, the idea is that they must go right away and that is our new concept that we are developing,” he said.
He blamed himself for the store going down for close to a year but said they have developed a new concept to keep the prices low.
“We want to bring in big volumes and turn them over very fast, we have literally shut down our warehouse, whatever comes in the same week must go. And that is what we are doing. We have very low prices on Caprisun for example at $9.99 compared to St. Thomas, we had 750 cases and I think we are down to less to a quarter of that one after two days. We have 5 lb rice for under $4.00, most beautiful and fresh fruits and vegetables,” the proud owner said as he took time out to quickly greet customers and thank them for patronizing the store.Targeting St. Thomas Market
Mr. Vanterpool, who is also the representative of the 4th district and Minister for Communications and Works, disclosed that he has deliberately target the St. Thomas market with his prices. “We have deliberately targeted the St. Thomas market and there is no doubt about it. We have decided that people should not have to go to St. Thomas and shop, you can go to St. Thomas to have fun and pleasure but we want to get the prices right so they don’t have to go there.”Mr. Vanterpool had high praises for his customers for sticking with him during his tough times. “Our customers have been very loyal when our store was down and want to say thank you we feel them and know they are there for us.”
He also thanked his bank, FirstCaribbean International and his suppliers for also sticking with him. His suppliers include Merchant Export Inc. out of West Palm Beach Florida who has been supplying he company for its 25 years, Associated Grocers of Florida, and other companies such as Allied out of Miami.
Hope for economy in 2012
As it regards the economy, the businessman said it is sluggish at the moment but he is confident it will pick up by the middle of 2012. “It’s all about the economy, we will have tough times and we want to respond to that and that is what we are doing. The economy is sluggish but I think there is hope on the horizon. In the BVI what spurs the economy quite often is things like construction, tourism but tourism is interconnected to construction,” he said noting that he hopes licenses for building would be permitted and banks would be giving out loans to help get the economy moving.
“… so 2012 is a good year and may start out a little sluggish but I am pretty certain and have a feeling by middle of the year will see the economy bouncing back and that is what we are preparing for.”
The anniversary celebration will kick up this afternoon, December 1, 2011, with an official event at the store.
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