feb-2018c

39 already set up two outlets under a subsidiary,La Belle Vie,to cater to a specialised area of the home improve- ment and finishesmarket.” Gafoor adds that since everything that the company can’t manufacture,or that can’t be sourced locally,has to be imported,maintaining good relationships with its suppliers is essential.“Themanufacturing base in Barbados,even though it is sophisticated to a certain extent,the range of products that aremanufactured and actuallyconsumed in Barbados as a percentage of the overall needs of the island,is small.To that extent, now,our best relationships arewith our overseas suppliers,because those guys are our lifeline; they’re the ones that we relyon to be able to source product of acceptable qualityand acceptable pricing points that we can get it into the Barbadosmarket.” Equallycrucial,according to Gafoor,ismaintaining a high level of customer service.“It’s key to thewhole process,”he states.“In themarkets that we’re in,we’re verymuch like a Home Depot or a Lowes inNorth America.It comes down towhat it is you offer,what your pricing point is,and howconvenient you are for your clients to find you and interfacewith your staff. Themost important thing is that,whatever their requirements,we are capable of meeting themand satisfying our customers’needs.” PREFERRED VENDORS n Frontline Trading www.frontlinetrading.co n Guardsman Barbados Ltd. www.facebook.com/guardsmanbds