BUSCOD Group of Supermarkets on Wednesday shut down two of its seven branches in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls due to lack of business, a development that spells doom for over 300 employees.
Report by Pamela Mhlanga Own correspondent
Buscod’s finance and administration manager Elfas Tavagadza yesterday told Newsday that the branches closed were no longer generating income to the company hence they decided to shut them down.
He said the closure of these two branches was an effort to concentrate on larger branches as the customers preferred bigger shops than the smaller ones especially in Bulawayo and Victoria falls.
“Closing these two branches does not mean we are downsizing, but we realised that smaller space discouraged smooth running of business in these two branches as customers were not interested in them,” said Tavagadza. “We have decided therefore to make an effort to concentrate on bigger branches.”
Tavagadza also said Buscod was currently working on three projects in Hwange, Tsholotsho and one of the towns in Midlands in order to expand its visibility and create employment opportunities for locals.
“We are making renovations to expand the shop in Hwange and one in Midlands, the renovations are almost complete as we are only waiting for the steel trusses to be in place. Most probably we will be done with everything in January next year,” he said.
Buscod purchasing manager Jacob Manyeka said the organisation would take necessary measures to accommodate 300 workers from the closed branches.
