Melcom Opens New Shopping Centre, Jan. 20,10, pg 25, spread

THE Melcom Group of Companies yesterday added a new store to its existing chain of stores in the country.
Dubbed the Melcom Plus, the facility, which is located at the North Industrial Area in Accra, provides a one-stop shop for clients, as renowned trade names such as Zain, La Senza, Sony Centre, Vidya, Choco’ Pain, Silver Spoon Chilcare, Nallem Clothing, First Choice Beauty Salon, Foto Store, Jinlet Pharmacy, Swatch, Gracefield, Nike, Samsung, Paris 2 and Levis are all housed in the facility.
The Trade and Industry Minister, Ms Hannah Tetteh, who inaugurated the new facility, said the construction of modern stores, malls and markets should be carried out in ways that catered for basic safety facilities and other infrastructure that put the needs of clients first.
She said the presence of such multi-purpose stores was most convenient and a welcome experience for busy customers as they afforded customers the opportunity to buy a variety of products at a go.
She said the provision of cold stores, fire prevention facilities, hygienic stalls, well laid out drainage, places of convenience, clinics, banks, post offices, play grounds, running water and day care centres at such stores went a long way to provide convenience not only for clients but also the staff.
“The mega stores will offer ample opportunities for aspiring shopkeepers, fashion designers, craftsmen and women and many more to display their wares,” she said.
Ms Tetteh stressed the need for the development of a competitive service culture, professionalism and efficiency to sustain business enterprises.
She, therefore, advised workers of the establishment to have a level of etiquette and courtesy in dealing with customers, adding that that was lacking in the service industry as a whole.
She said the expansion of supermarkets across the country was a result of the expansion of the economy and the increased sophistication among Ghanaian consumers.
Ms Tetteh said the ministry would facilitate the development of modern market infrastructure throughout the country to suit the needs of the population in rural-urban areas.
The Chairman of the Melcom Group of Companies, Mr Bhagwan Khubchandani, said the inauguration of Melcom Plus signified the trust and confidence Melcom’s trading partners had in the company.
“We at Melcom strive to give value for money, bring shopping to customers’ doorstep and offer the largest variety of goods under one roof,” he said.