Business Up By 30% As Lockdown Favours Some Operators In Navua

Two months of continuous lockdown at Wainadoi containment border has worked out in favour of some businesses in Navua.

One of Navua’s oldest businessman and owner of Vikash Bargain Centre, Praphul Bhai, 69, said a 20 to 30 per cent increase in sale was noted since the lockdown was implemented two months ago.

“Navua people who work in Suva were usually doing their shopping in Suva, but since the lockdown people are spending in their own hometown”,  said Mr Bhai.

He took up ownership of his family business, H. Ramji store in 1969.

For the challenges he has witnessed in the last 50 years, nothing can compare to the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic, Mr Bhai said.

While some businesses struggled, others such as supermarkets, grocery shops and hardware shops were doing better, he said.

“There’s definitely an increase in the sale of hardware, garden and agricultural tools,” Mr Bhai said.

“Those of us who deal with this have recorded an increase in sales.”

Mr Bhai applauded business owners who did not raise prices.

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