New STC Praslin shop pledges ‘fair pricing’ to consumers |16 August 2013

Consumers on Praslin can now expect to pay the same price for basic commodities as their peers on Mahé.

This follows a pledge made by the management of the new Seychelles Trading Company’s (STC) supermarket on Praslin which officially opened its doors earlier this week.

Speaking at the opening ceremony on Tuesday, STC manager for Praslin David Balthilde promised ‘fair pricing’ to customers which will help bring down the cost of living, which he has described as “a challenging but not impossible feat”.

He said that the cost of basic necessities will be the same as on Mahé as the STC will bear the shipping and handling costs.

The STC Praslin supermarket, situated at the Pension Fund Complex at Grand Anse, was officially opened by the Minister for Finance and Trade, Pierre Laporte in the presence of the members of the National Assembly for Grand Anse and Baie Sainte Anne Praslin, Marc Volcère and Natacha Esther respectively, STC’s chief executive (CEO) Veronique Laporte, members of her board of directors, staff, partners and clients.

Minister Laporte described the occasion as a special day for the STC and the island of Praslin as the new supermarket is a reflection of the government’s wish and endeavour to bring quality goods to the population at an affordable price.

He said that the service had become a necessity for Praslin where consumers generally felt they were being overpriced.

He congratulated the STC’s management and staff for the new retail outlet which they have set up in a record period of two months, and said he was confident that they will provide good service to the people of Praslin.

The minister however urged them to go beyond themselves and offer an exemplary service to customers.
“Give the little extra and be an example to follow,” Minister Laporte told the supermarket staff.

Mr Balthilde said that the STC will also continue to operate its wholesale operations on the two islands, as it is necessary to bring goods to remote areas like Anse Boudin, Consolation and Mont Plaisir.

Speaking on her company’s more long-term plans for Praslin and La Digue, the STC CEO said that the company will continue in its effort to give equal treatment to the inner islands as compared to services offered on Mahé.

This will be reflected by the building of yet another larger supermarket on Eve Island for Baie Ste Anne residents in the next two to three years, accompanied by a new central wholesale depot which will replace the existing ones at Grande Anse and Baie Sainte Anne.

Miss Laporte had even better news for La Digue residents, for whom the wholesale service will be upgraded, but who more importantly will be able to shop in the comfort of a brand new STC supermarket as early as the end of this year.

The new supermarket was blessed by Father Simplice of the Roman Catholic Church and his Anglican counterpart Pastor Simon.