Stock up for Christmas, retailers urged

Andrew Muvishi and Mazvita Chada
Government is working flat out to ensure the availability of goods in shops especially this festive season, VP Kembo Mohadi has said.

In a speech read on his behalf during the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers’ national annual awards, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said it was notable that the retail and wholesale sectors have created jobs for many Zimbabweans and some retailers are continuing to expand their operations and opening new branches countrywide.

“The temporary lifting of SI 122 has led to improved supply of goods on the market as more retailers and wholesalers have begun to import goods from outside. There are no more empty shelves as was experienced in mid-October to early November 2018.

“We encourage the retailers to adequately stock and meet the requirements of the customers in this season,” said VP Mohadi.

He added that the Government was going to support industry to boost its export ability.

“Government will expedite the finalisation and implementation of the industrialisation policy. This policy is anchored on increasing local content while supporting an aggressive value addition thrust which intensifies the utilisation of local resources,” he said.

He also expressed dismay over property owners and retailers who were demanding rent and charging goods and services in foreign currency.

“As highlighted in the 2019 National Budget Statement by the Finance and Development Minister despite the assistance availed to industry by the Government some retail prices of pharmaceuticals including drugs for chronic ailments are quoted in US dollars or prices are four times in bond notes.

“We therefore to urge retailers and wholesalers to heed His Excellency’s call to practice responsible pricing to protect customers. On our part as Government, we will continue to foster a stable micro-economic environment while deploying confidence building measures,” he said.