Cargills opens 150th Food City in Manipay

Thursday, 16 December 2010 00:01 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Cargills Food City, Sri Lanka’s leading supermarket chain, has opened its 150th outlet in Manipay, Jaffna.

This comes as part of its accelerated expansion drive through which Cargills Food City aims to partner the development of regional Sri Lanka.

The Manipay outlet, which is an investment of Rs. 40 million, is the first of among several Cargills Food City outlets earmarked for the Jaffna Peninsula. Two other outlets are due to open in the heart of the Jaffna town and along Kannathidi Road, Jaffna while three further locations have been identified. Cargills aims to invest over Rs 200 million in the northern peninsula over the next 12 months.

The Manipay outlet was ceremonially declared open this week by Imtiaz Wahid, Managing Director, Cargills and Major General Janaka Walgama, Commander of the 52nd Brigade in the presence of a large gathering of dignitaries including local government representatives.

Commenting on the opening of the Manipay outlet, Wahid said: “Cargills is gratified by the response of the public of Jaffna and the warm welcome we have received. This is simply the beginning of greater investment in the region. Cargills has already trained 1,000 farmers from Jaffna and have commenced direct purchasing.

“Very recently we initiated the Yal Uthpaththi programme together with the Central Bank to provide markets for Palmyrah farmers from the region. The launch of this new outlet reiterates our commitment to partner the progress of our nation and its people. Over the next 12 months Cargills will invest over Rs 200 mn in the northern region. We look forward to working with the people of Jaffna towards building a stronger future for the community and the country,” he added.

Chief Operating Officer – Retail, Cargills (Ceylon) Sidath Kodikara noted that the entry of Cargills Food City into Jaffna brings with it a range of benefits to the local community.

“When Cargills Food City enters a region we are not simply bringing with it the convenience of a supermarket. We generate direct employment as well as create opportunities for local farmers and small scale entrepreneurs. We create infrastructure and change life styles. There is an overall improvement in the quality of life through the food safety and quality standards that we set. Our prices are uniform across all districts so there is an immediate impact to the cost of living. The value that Cargills Food City creates for local communities goes well beyond the visible impact to touch and change lives,” he added.

The new Cargills Food City at Manipay offers an ultra modern shopping experience for customers open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and shoppers can expect the superior customer care that has come to be the hallmark of Cargills Food City.

The new outlet features a range of 10,000 products, a pharmacy, fresh vegetables and fish as well as a wide variety of high quality processed meat and much, much more. The shopping experience is heightened further with ample parking facilities.

Cargills Food City is rated the fourth most valuable brand in Sri Lanka by the Brand Finance Index of 2009 and is also ranked among the top service brands in the country.  Cargills Food City was also shortlisted for the ‘Most Responsible Retailer of the Year’ award at the World Retail Awards 2009 and 2010.

COMMENTS