Fooda-Basak opening lures 2,000 shoppers

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the long queues at the cashier area, at the courtesy booth, and at the redemption booth, aside from the complaints and questions and unsolicited recommendations, the opening day of Fooda Savers Mart – Basak San Nicolas last December 10 turned out a success, as well as a ground for lessons to learn and relearn.

The space managed to accommodate around 2,000 people – some real “hardcore” shoppers, guests and well-wishers, while the rest: mere kibitzers.

“I see the positive side to what happened today. Sorry for the inconvenience. However, we are so overwhelmed of the public’s response. We know some trooped in here only to check how the store looks like, but we know eventually they would be enticed to buy because of our various promotions today,” Kevin Ngochua of Fooda Savers Mart Corporation said.

The fourth Fooda store brings to the south district its one-stop-shop concept wherein one can pick his groceries and other high-value items, and at the same time, shop for office supplies, personal needs at the second floor – from household cleaning products, to personal items like footwear and apparel, to kitchenware and other plastic ware.

There are also various stalls that offer food to go.

For the first three days of its operations, Fooda offered promo packs, low-priced bundle items, buy-one take-one promo, and special discounts to specific goods for every purchase worth P1,000. This was intended to make customers feel they’re truly “first on the list” at Fooda Savers Mart.

“It’s also a way of thanking them for joining us on our opening day, and inviting them to spend most of their shopping sprees in here where best buys are offered,” this was further learned.

When asked particularly on the opening date, being intentionally set ahead of full operations of a high-end commercial establishment nearby, Ngochua pointed out: “We open because we feel the need to open to cater to those in Christmas shopping rush mode. Our new location would spare our patrons, in this area and farther south, from the hassles of traffic jams.”

Store hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Four express lanes are serving customers - most especially the senior citizens and the differently abled.

Other Fooda stores are located in Guadalupe, Mango Avenue, and in Consolacion town. (FREEMAN)