Business
LAUGFS Super Nugegoda is all about overall customer experience, says CEO
‘Getting best deals is very important in satisfying valued shoppers’
by Sanath Nanayakkare
The full range of expectations of a customer vising a supermarket can be vast in this day and age. Identifying just how expansive they can be and the numerous ways in which a supermarket can try to exceed customer expectations is therefore very critical. Whether one likes it or not, these expectations tend to involve a comparison when implicit expectations are not being met. The Island recently had an interview with Pravin R. David, CEO of LAUGFS Supermarkets where we probed one of the leading supermarket CEO minds in the country about this particular challenge. Notably, the interview was conducted on the sidelines of an event where LAUGFS recently opened its brand-new outlet located at 225, Stanley Thilakarathne Mawatha, Nugegoda. Pravin said it marked the 38th addition to the chain, but is different from other LAUGFS outlets and other competitive retail formats as well. The following are some excerpts from the interview.
Q. Supermarkets already battle it out on prices for products that matter most to customers. How does LAUGFS Supermarkets work with its supply chain to bring its grocery prices down?
As a consumer centric business organization, LAUGFS Supermarkets touch thousands of customer lives on a daily basis, so as a company, we are very concerned about the prices we offer to our customers on daily essentials and groceries. Adapting a competitive pricing policy via effective supply chain strategies is vital for maintaining competitive prices. Most importantly it’s a challenge to maintain a competitive pricing in an environment where prices are frequently fluctuating.
Q. Sri Lanka is now at a point where the spikes in essential commodities are reversing, perhaps allowing your margins to drift higher from an all-time low. Is this a welcome development for supermarkets from a balance-sheet point of view?
Prices of essential items are fluctuating and both cost and selling prices are adjusted accordingly. So there won’t be a drastic increase in profitability, but compared to the previous period it is a stable condition as there aren’t many supply issues which is directly impacting on price and availability. But overall, certain cost elements of the business operations such as taxes, power and utility, interest cost have gone up drastically which has a direct impact on the profitability.
Q. Competition largely depends on how many supermarkets are present in any local area. Nugegoda is a place where you would face fierce competition. Why did you really want to enter this battleground?
There are a few reasons why we entered a highly competitive area like Nugegoda. This new store format is totally different to all our existing LAUGFS Super outlets and other competitive retail formats too. So we wanted to bring this new concept to an area with many residential customers in line with our target-group.
Q. What’s the specialty of your bakery products and ready meals at your Nugegoda store?
We have first launched our hot kitchen + Bakery concept of “Sugar & Spice” by Crimson Bakery at Nugegoda store. This caters to a diverse range of ready- made hot food and savories/ snacks and there are seating facilities to relax and enjoy your food while shopping with your family. We maintain high standards of quality and hygiene as it is our primary promise.
Q. How tough is your job as CEO in getting the best deals for shoppers including the quality of service?
Getting best deals is very important in satisfying our valued shoppers and to offer the best prices in daily essentials, fresh items and other grocery items. It is mandatory to maintain a better relationship with suppliers and our farmer networks are key in managing this proposition. Whereas, maintaining service levels requires continuous training and development of our front line staff, retaining them, upgrading their attitudes and soft skills are the main challenges ahead.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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