Just two weeks after going public with a restructuring plan, Nigel’s Supermarket seems poised for a holiday turnaround and its owner Nigel Johnson attributed it to “overwhelming support” from the public.
“I just want to give thanks to Jesus Christ for His favour, blessing and guidance especially during this the season that we celebrate His birth. This is nothing less than a miracle,” an emotional Johnson told Stabroek News yesterday.
Two weeks ago, this newspaper reported that a shift in approach by creditors and financiers, compounded by market forces and emerging businesses, had caused the Georgetown-based supermarket to significantly scale down its operations.
Numerous concerns were raised by customers about the ‘almost ghostly’ appearance of the supermarket as many shelves were bare. The freezer section where meat and fish were sold was no longer there.
Johnson had said that he would do all in his power to return the business to its former glory as one of the country’s leading supermarkets. He had stressed, “We are in this for the long haul. It is a very competitive environment and as of late has been very challenging with lots of dynamics, but I want my customers to know that I will try every possible option available to keep the business and with their help and the grace of God, we will get back and even better than what we were.”
A visit to the supermarket yesterday morning revealed fully stocked shelves and bustling business, as the establishment’s owner credited the sudden turnaround to his restructuring plan and divine intervention.
The meat freezer had an assortment of ham, turkey, mutton, beef and poultry products; there were fruits and vegetables, including ample quantities of imported vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and artichokes.
Across the road, at the customer parking lot and beverage depot, persons were still packing beverages into the storage area.
“Since the story [appeared in the Stabroek News], I cannot tell you what happened because it has left me in shock. There has been such an outpouring of support. I got calls from people about investment deals and even got back some crediting… The support is unbelievable,” he said.
“I cannot thank my loyal customers enough. I was optimistic that something good would happen but two weeks ago if you had told me this would be us, I would have had some doubts. The customers, they made this happen, and I offer my sincerest thanks… I could never be able to say to each individual how grateful and appreciative I am, but I hope that through this news item, the word will spread and they will know Nigel said thanks,” he added.
Johnson said the restructuring will continue into the new year with a new business plan but he’s happy to know that his loyal customers can have access to all the products that they have been accustomed to buying over the years. He has already made some arrangements to infuse cash and stocks in the business and plans to add to that as time progresses.
Nigel’s Supermarket set the standard in local supermarkets here when the establishment opened over two decades ago. The store offered services such as dedicated customer parking, loyalty reward points, every day discounts for seniors and public servants and tele-shopping and home delivery.
The supermarket, since its emergence, has been a longtime sponsor of many sporting tournaments, especially in tennis and has made significant philanthropic donations throughout the country.
