Businessman gives shelf space to local producers

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A Plettenberg Bay businessman placed corporate competition on the back burner when he decided to give shelf space in his shop to struggling local businesses.

Duncan Brown, who owns the Beacon Island KwikSpar, is now stocking local products in his store at no cost to the supplying businesses.

“At first I heard of one business in real trouble and decided to put their products in my store at no commission,” Brown said.

Following this, he added, several other businesses indicated their dire situations and he decided to do the same for them.

Currently about 13 businesses have made use of Brown’s offer.

“We have been in a very fortunate position to have been able to trade throughout the lockdown and have not been severely impacted. There are however those who have been severely impacted. I truly believe we are stronger if we work together and therefore I’ve decided to give shelf space to those who need it,” Brown said.

Some of the products on offer include baked goods, frozen meals, ice cream, pizza bases and even bone broth.

Brown gives each item a bar code and the transactions go through the till points. At the end of the month, the businesses are paid the money made from the products. Each product provider sets their own prices.

Brown said it has been amazing to see how innovative some businesses have become as a result of the lockdown, including new product offers. He said a good example is Ice Palazzo that have started making “stick ice-creams” in order to package their goods for retail.

Beacon Island Kwikspar has made shelf space available for local businesses unable to operate during lockdown. Photo: Yolande Stander