Diskomart opens in Croisee

SHOPPERS lined up well in advance for the “blowout sale” at the official opening of Diskomart, another supermarket chain under the Massy Group umbrella, at the cCoisee in San Juan, on Friday.

Diskomart replaced the iconic Ramish & Leela Supermarket, which stood as a landmark on the Eastern Main Road for generations. The former tenant closed its doors on October 25 and made way for Diskomart’s second active branch, following several months of negotiations and its eventual buy-over. Diskomart’s first branch is in Tunapuna.

Diskomart’s Tunapuna location re-branded what was previously Food Masters Supermarket several years ago. MP for Barataria/San Juan Saddam Hosein cut the ceremonial ribbon, together with the store’s branch manager Neela Rambharose-Sookraj.

Hosein said he was grateful to see business resume at the site, given the economic circumstances. “At this supermarket, I have no doubt it will provide the continued service to the community and all the constituents of San Juan/Barataria.

“As our constituents contribute to your supermarket,” Hosein said, “we also ask that you contribute towards us. And I have no doubt that you will do your part in terms of corporate responsibility.”

His opponent in the August general election Jason “JW” Williams, as well as representatives from the region’s business association, the Massy Group, and other stakeholders joined in the fanfare. Ramish & Leela closed on October 25, and the building got a quick facelift ahead of the opening.

While there is no loyalty card system at present, Massy Stores CEO Roxanne De Freitas said benefits to Diskomart’s customers are more direct, saying their prices are competitive and are further reduced with a tiered system.

“For example,” she said, “if you buy three (of a certain) product, you get a reduced price. That’s how we channel it back.”

She said the location previously held an iconic supermarket and Diskomart intends to do it justice.

Similar to Massy Stores, the Diskomart stores are offering family-size “value bag” with two sizes, costing $150 and $300, which can be pre-ordered. There are precooked meals for takeaway and a bakery. MoneyGram and SurePay will also soon provide their services at the outlet.

“We have the protocols put in place. All our trolleys are sanitised before you come in,” she said, adding that there is a limit to the number of customers permitted inside at any one time, using a ratio of 100 square feet of retail space per person.