Going back to the basics

mission to set up grocery shops mainly in the high-density suburbs particularly in Mbare, Highfield, Mufakose, Mabvuku, Sakubva, Mzilikazi, Dombotombo and many other historic townships around the country.
Household names that come to mind include the Samuriwos, the Chiweshes, the Makomvas, the Muteswas, the Mangenjes, the Mwayeras, the Mushores, the Murambiwas, the Mundawararas, the Mwamukas and many others who invested extensively in their communities.
Sadly, most of these legends are no more and equally most of the businesses have collapsed although some of the siblings have managed to keep the fire glowing. 
Although the retail business has of late shifted in favour of the larger players riding on the economies of scale, a few have diversified their business offerings in line with the changing times. 
This is evident when one notices the growing number of bottle stores and bars in the high-density areas primarily because of the entry of the “big guys” in their domain.
While I have no qualms about the entry of the big names such as OK, Spar, TM Supermarkets and the works into high-density areas, what is of concern to me is the level of investment they bring in.
Besides renovating the floor space to meet their requirements, they are not interested in anything else except pay for their rentals and employees. 
Whereas one would expect them to even consider going into franchising arrangements with the indigenous operators, they seem to be preoccupied with nothing else but the profit motive.
Such popular brand names as Baker’s Inn, Chicken Inn and Pizza Inn (from Innscor), for instance, should by now set their footprint in the high-density suburbs instead of crowding their outlets in the city centre. 
They have established themselves very well and they have a significant following, which should help them justify the outreach programme. 
There are many other potential investors who should come on board and in the true spirit of indigenisation; this should be done in partnership with the locals.
Do not get me wrong, I am not advocating for forced partnerships in any way; it should be mutual,
Personally I must take off my hat to Lifestyle Holdings founder and entrepreneur extraordinaire Tawanda Nyambirai for his foresight when he offered to take over outlets that have been run down by Rufaro Marketing and converted them into shopping malls.
That is a visionary perspective based on taking the business to the people.  Well done TN, that’s the way to go.
On the other hand, can property developers look on the other side of town?  I am sure many of you have been wondering why most of the huge investments in the country of late have been centred on the CBD or the leafy suburbs.
For all it’s worth, the National Social Security Authority should “pay back” to their contributors by going back to the populace.
They are after all bankrolled by the workers of Zimbabwe, the majority of whom reside in the high-density areas.
This can be done after a thorough needs assessment and coming up with an appropriate structure for the respective community. 
I am sure most of you are familiar with Old Mutual’s forays into Chitungwiza, Dangamvura and High Glen where they are struggling to attract tenants. 
Could this be a case of an investment that is not matching the needs of a community? 
I will not go into much detail about that one, but stakeholder engagement is a key component of such ventures.
There is no doubt that the present economic environment is not favourable for start-ups and joint ventures may come in handy to ride the storm.
Dollarisation brought stability to the economy, but it also opened up even larger wounds that may take forever to heal and the onus is now on those established players to hold the hands of others so that we may all cross the river.
Those in the suburbs also have something to offer and strong partnerships can be built and usher in a win-win situation for all concerned.  Let us work together.
As always, let’s make money.
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