About 90 employees at the Food Lover’s Market store in the Windhoek Central Business District could be retrenched when the second phase of the proposed expansion of the Wernhil Park Mall starts next year, the fresh produce retailer announced this week.
The N$500 million Wernhil Park Mall expansion project will see the demolition of the structure currently housing Food Lover’s Market and Cashbuild, with the first section of the project set to open in June 2018, while the second section is expected to open in May 2019.
Food Lover’s Market Namibia Managing Director, Louis Peens, told the Windhoek Observer that they did not have an alternative location for the Windhoek store during the construction period, which leaves the future of the workers in the balance.
“The shop will be closed for a year and we know that. We will only have the other two shops open and we are still working on a plan now, but we don’t have anything concrete regarding the future of the employees.
“Once we come up with a feasible plan, we will let everyone know in due course; but for now that is our position. We have over 90 employees there and we are still to decide on the way forward once the time comes,” Peens said.
Meanwhile, Food Lover’s Market launched its Goodness Gang to reinforce the brand’s message of fresh produce, healthy eating and innovation in retail.
According to Peens, the Goodness Gang - a range of fruit and vegetable plushies - consists of eight characters, which aim to educate and promote healthy eating, among kids aged two to nine, in a fun and interactive way.
These characters are Adam Apple, Benny Banana, Betty Broccoli, Bongi Blueberry, Manny Mushroom, Olly Orange, Pumi Pea and Sally Strawberry.
“We have had very positive feedback from shoppers since the campaign launched on 12 June 2017. The campaign will run from 12 June to 12 November this year and the last day to redeem Goodness Gang plushies will be on 26 November 2017.
“Our aim is to encourage kids to eat fresh fruit and vegetables and the Goodness Gang campaign provides us with this opportunity. It certainly adds a fun and educational approach to fresh produce for kids and adults alike - that is why we’re looking forward to introducing the new Goodness Gang characters to all Food Lover’s Market shoppers in Namibia,” Peens said.
He added that the Goodness Gang characters could be collected by customers spending a minimum of N$50 in Food Lover’s Market outlets, which earned shoppers a single sticker. The stickers are affixed to Goodness Gang collector cards, which are readily available at branded stands in participating Food Lover’s Market stores nationwide.
“A Goodness Gang plushie can be redeemed once the collector’s card has been filled with 70 stickers, but customers can also buy a character after collecting 30 stickers for only N$59, 99.
“Alternatively, the Goodness Gang characters can be bought outright at the full retail price of N$199, 99 each,” Peens said.