Retailing: Comment by Jerry Robins of Elegant Man

Jerry Robins, Elegant Man
Matatiele, Mt Ayliff and Mthatha (E. Cape), Kokstad (KZN), SA - Temperatures are down and winter is on its way but we hope that business will warm up.
      Times are tough … we are now competing with 25+ new stores post lockdown in our small little town.
Nationals and chains have now depleted what was left of the little pie to share …
I would now say that our little town is over-traded with similar merchandise not to mention the so called “fong kong” stores and the lack of protection from major brands re: counterfeit sellers.
      It has become sad that our loyalty over the past 30+ years is not returned; some of the so called bigger or more recognised brands don’t want or need the little guys anymore.
Sad that those same little guys took the gamble to start and launch those so called bigger more recognised brands in these remote areas. Now “we” just discarded and no longer part of the picture 30+ years later.
      It is what it is, most likely it would equate to my quote as this is ultimately what they want, that business ethics and loyalty are just some life morals that no longer exist …
      “SOME PEOPLE ARE SO POOR … ALL THEY HAVE IS MONEY.”

      But we are here to fight and we will serve our customers to the best of our customer’s expectations and requirements … …. we won’t let them down!!!   “