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By Michelle Joseph -In a follow up an article, written a few days ago, pertaining to the plight of shopkeepers, in Agricola Village and its neighbouring villages, the fight continues!
The main shop in Agricola, sells groceries, cooking gas, water, poultry (chicken), beef amongst many other items. It supplies the needs of the community on a daily basis.
From the first street to the Housing scheme, has at least one shop in every street, contributing to meeting the needs of consumers. There is even a shop that caters mainly to the needs of senior citizens.
The Chinese supermarkets are the main concern. It is alleged that a new Chinese supermarket, will be opening to the public, in the very near future. This supermarket (Chinese) will be facing the main shop in Agricola.
The patrons and customers, of the shops in the area, spoke with Village Voice News. They related that they are doing just fine, with the shops in the village. Most of them contended, that the Chinese supermarkets are not necessarily “cheaper” than the village shops.
They shared the sentiments of not wanting another supermarket in the area, citing that they have enough “competition in their village. “The Chinese will not give us any item if our money is short, the shopkeepers will,” one patron expressed.
Village Voice News was told by shopkeepers, that it seems as though, the Chinese have more privilege over Guyanese. Reiterating the fact, that small shops and businesses cannot compete with Chinese business.
One female shopkeeper, gave an example, “while we buy by cartons, dozens and half a dozen, the Chinese buy an entire container, we cannot compete with them,” she said.
The village shops are pleading with the Government to intercede, to aid them, in ensuring fair competition, not to allow larger businesses with more capital, to shut their businesses down.
In all fairness, competition and development is essential for the upward mobility for any growing society, we cannot stop the inevitability of moving forward but we can ensure that, it is just.
Still not satisfied, with what the future holds, the shopkeepers intend to keep pushing their cause, until they are seen and heard. Justice for the small man! Justice for the shopkeepers!
