San Fernando West MP Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan and Mayor of San Fernando Kazim Hosein have welcomed the Neal and Massy Group of Companies' multi million dollar investment in T&T's first ever super combo Hi Lo Food Stores, in La Romaine.The flagship store, only the second to be opened in the region–the first wads launchec in Barbados last month–offers traditional supermarket goods as well as electronics, household appliances, soft furnishing, pharmaceutical services, a bakery and a food service area.
In an address at the official launch of the new store yesterday, Seepersad-Bachan said 63-years after the pioneering company opened it first supermarket back in 1950, it continues to lead the way with a new modern concept in the industry. She said she was happy the investment had been made in her constituency.The MP applauded the supermarket chain for its employment of 300 people but said she wanted to see more local content on its shelves from small business entrepreneurs in and around the La Romaine district.
Prior to the opening, Mayor Hosein presented manager Derek Chadee with the health certificate for the new super combo store.Neal and Massy president and Group CEO Gervase Warner said the store represents the future for the group of companies and the partnership arrangement between Hi Lo and Dominic Hadeed, Gulf City CEO, their landlord. He said getting the store ready was a tremendous demonstration of trust and partnership between the two.
"Dominic signed the lease last night (Thursday), when the store was already built and completed and if that isn't a demonstration of trust and phenomenal explanation of what people do with one another when there is trust and integrity, I don't know what is," he said."We in T&T are blessed. We need to understand how lucky we are and start to behave like it. We are exemplars for the rest of the Caribbean. People wish they were blessed with oil and gas resources and...I don't know... the the fountain of fun we have in T&T.
"I beseech all of you to start taking up the mantle of example. That's what we need, That's who we are and that's what we stand for."Executive chairman, Retail line of business, Neal and Massy, Thomas Pantin, said Hi Lo La Romaine, is like another in the country. "Hi Lo is proud of its history in TT and after 63 years we are at a new milestone," he said
Hi Lo CEO Derek Winford said the opening of this store was the dawning of a new era in the supermarket chain's continuing and relentless efforts to improve customer satisfaction. Long before the two-hour opening ceremony ended, customers were lined up outside with their trolleys, waiting for Seepersad-Bachan to cut the ribbon so they could enter and start shopping.