Financial Times

Private firms empty markets with purchases for sea surge victims
By Quintus Perera
Consumer buying particularly by residents in Colombo fell due to last week's crisis while large stocks were purchased by private firms for the relief effort.

Almost all the mega shopping malls like Majestic City and Liberty Plaza were more-or- less deserted with very few people who were feeling the impact of the dreadful tsunami disaster.

A Sunday Times FT team touring the major consumer sales outlets like, Richard Peiris Distributors (RPD), Cargills and CWE, on December 31 - a period when sales soar -, found little buying for personal use but large numbers of private sector companies empting shelves by purchasing large quantities to be sent to victims.

At Richard Peiris, Hyde Park Corner, MAS Holdings staff were buying large quantities of dry rations, milk foods, sanitary products; mosquito coils, cooking utensils, biscuits and baby items. Dilshad Mansoor, Deputy General Manager, MAS said that all its employees contributed one day's pay which amounted to Rs 300,000 and an equal amount was contributed by the company.

They channelled their relief supplies through Sarvodaya and World Vision. "This would be the initial response, but we would draw up a comprehensive long term plan," he said.

Mahinda Galagedara, Managing Director, RPD said that company Chairman Dr Sena Yaddehige, now in London, had instructed them to release Rs 10 million for the tsunami relief efforts. Galagedara said that large stocks of items that were needed for the victims were purchased by various private companies to be sent to affected areas.

RPD on its part have dispatched water tanks, mosquito coils and items that were most needed by the victims. Priyantha Wijewickrama, Manager Supercentre, Hyde Park Corner said that they have not noticed people buying for the New Year but bulk sales were for disaster relief. Both RPD and Cargills followed the Day of Mourning, December 31 by closing their liquor sales on a day that would otherwise see massive sales.

Wijewickrama said that though they had massive sales of some specific items they never ran out of stock of any product as they have been replenishing stocks round the clock, visualizing the emergency situation.

The CWE outlet at Vauxhall Street was a complete contrast, with many shelves empty. But even there, Office Tiger Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a US based Company, was buying large stocks of rice, dhal and other available dry rations. M H K M Hameez, Manager, Office Tiger said that they have been in operation for just six months but all the 75 employees contributed one day's pay and an equal amount was contributed by the management.

He said that their parent company based in New York and branches in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and India had all been alerted of the disaster situation in Sri Lanka and around 3,000 employees in all these companies have pledged to contribute generously.

Cargills Super Market at Staples Street too had the same story as Richard Peiris to relate. Roshan Fernando, Manager, said that there was tremendous purchasing of items that were needed in the disaster stricken areas, like rice, sugar, flour, biscuits, baby products, sanitary products etc. But he too said New Year shopping was limited.

He said that many private sector companies have bought items to be channeled to the tsunami affected areas. He said that all the Cargills Super Market outlets spread throughout the country are also collecting items to be distributed to the victims through Sirasa Shakthi TV Relief Programme.

Tiron Dharmasena, Panasonic Show Rooms Manager, Kollupitiya said that they have not felt a noticeable impact on sales due to the disaster. He said that they were selling items at pre-budget prices, but said that the new imports have to be sold at high prices, which might affect the sales.

Ms Sriyani Fernando, Branch Manager, Singer Showrooms, Bambalapitiya said that compared to last year, so far this year they have a 20 percent growth in turnover. She said, "Up to November sales were very good. Colombo people are still making purchases." She also speculated that after the tsunami disaster, buying pattern would change and sales could fall.

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