GEISHA KOWLESSAR-ALONZO
The downtown branch at Excellent Stores, Port-of-Spain—its longest-standing branch—will close at the end of December 2020 as the company continues to revolutionise its business model.
In a statement, the company explained that with the increased demand for online and curbside orders, Excellent Stores is upgrading its e-commerce business by repurposing and reallocating a greater amount of resources into its processes to enhance the customer experience and fulfilment processes, as well as a variety of payment options to increase its usability to a wider segment of the population.
Although many businesses are folding due to the economic shock caused by COVID-19, Excellent Stores said this was not the case.
"This digital transformation did not happen overnight, and it did not happen as the result of the coronavirus pandemic. It took years of planning, process reengineering, testing and implementation, and most importantly, a culture change to get to the point where, as a leading retailer, they could not only adapt and change according to the times but survive these crises and provide a solid platform for the future," the company said.
In August, Excellent Stores made a bold decision amidst the pandemic to convert its Arima branch, a 9000 square foot store, to a third of its size, making it the company’s first Click and Collect Express Centre, where customers can easily collect their online orders and shop for essentials.
The company said it recognized the growing shift in consumer behaviour to shop online and was one of the first in the country to not only launch an e-commerce platform in 2014 but integrate the omnichannel experience where customers can experience a seamless flow between digital and physical stores.
Alex Siu Chong, CEO at Excellent Stores, thanked customers who have supported the business for the past 62 years and over three generations.
"We do this to serve you and your family. To help you, live, create and do the best version of you. We are committed to bringing more innovations and evolve as you evolve. And we are committed to constantly improving and making each day, each interaction better than the day before," Siu Chong said.
Excellent Stores was a finalist in the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce Champions of Business – Business Technology Award. The award, sponsored by bmobile, is designed to recognise a technology-based or technology-driven company or an individual that has created or provided innovative technological solutions or services for new and existing market needs.
Customers can shop at its MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain location as well as the other branches at C3 in San Fernando, Price Plaza in Chaguanas, Trincity Mall, Arima and on the company's website.