To the Editor:

I was pleased to read the article by Russell Luckock (“Local Products Need More Promotion in Barbados’ Supermarkets”) and would like to advise that we have been working with local supermarkets for several years.

However the most willing to collaborate is always the Super Centre chain. Note also that, unlike overseas supermarkets which specialise in imported Caribbean foods and have Caribbean food sections, the reason to date that this has not been done for Bajan products is that our products range from frozen food to chemicals (ice cream to toilet bowl cleaner).

We have met with the supermarket group and continue to improve our relationship but it is an ongoing project. Our discussions were initially based on the fact that Bajan products need prominence in supermarkets so that the manufacturers and their approximately ten thousand employees, and their families, can continue to afford to shop there!

We have an excellent partnership with the Super Centre chain and have just completed the first of three mini-promotions where they are giving us a gondola end in each of their stores for three periods this year. We also heavily brand Bajan products in all stores and insist on having more at eye level; just started branding the mini-marts and will soon be branding rum shops and school canteens to continue the Buy Local awareness.

I look forward to discussing the matter at a later date as my schedule allows.

Regards
Bobbi McKay
Executive Director
Barbados Manufacturers’ Association