Fireman Secures Retirement Plan; Opens New Grocer
A fireman has branched out of his comfort zone to establish a shopping centre.
Tuesday 12 April 2022 | 05:00
Ranibulu Shopping Centre owner, Avinesh Chand, with wife Shobna Suman Lata, in Labasa, on April 10, 2022.
A fireman has branched out of his comfort zone to establish a shopping centre.
The initiative for the first-time entrepreneur, Avinesh Chand, 44, aims to secure his retirement plans.
Ranibulu Shopping Centre, 18 kilometres from Labasa Town, will address concerns of convenience for groceries.
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It will also offer top-up services for public transportation bus cards.
The shop opened on March 26, and serves a community of close to 4000 people.
The weekly sales average is $1500.
“During retirement, I want to keep myself occupied with the business and serve this rural community where food resources and e-services are currently limited,” Mr Chand said.
Ranibulu Shopping Centre is the only supermarket for miles around, in the rural community.
The business will be managed by his wife and younger son, while Mr Chand continues his day job at Savusavu Fire Station.
He invested close to $130,000 in the business, which was financed by the Bank of Baroda.
“We also provide online payment options via Vodafone’s M-PAiSA services, and have a billiard table for snooker interested youths,” Mr Chand said.
The shop opens from 7am to 9pm daily.
A bakery and fuel bowser is the next project for the shopping centre.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
