Tokelau roadshow a success

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 March 2018, 12:00AM

The first Samoan company to initiate a trade roadshow to neighbouring Tokelau has hailed the mission a success.

S.S.A.B’s International Manager, Marlene Kathleen Mulipola, said the President of Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.), Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai, is pleased to have been able to initiate the roadshow, which has paved the way for future ventures.

“We were going to start properly on Monday 19, February, since we had spent two nights on the boat, but we had so many people asking us to open that day, so we set up at 11am  on the same day we arrived  and started selling at midday,” Ms. Mulipola told the Samoa Observer.

“We closed at 4pm and had sold about a quarter of the stock that we had taken. Then on the following week from Monday to Thursday we set up again from 9am until 4pm.”

According to Ms. Mulipola, the Taupulega held a meeting where she was invited to speak on behalf of S.S.A.B.

“During the meeting with the Taupulega, the Ulu o Tokelau Siopili Perez was also present and it was actually him who requested whether S.S.A.B. could host two to three roadshows a year,” Ms. Mulipola said.

“I was so happy straight away, I said yes we can. This is an opportunity that we don’t get, so for the Ulu o Tokelau to request two to three roadshows a year, of course we have to say yes.”

Ms. Mulipola said the popular sellers were bluetooth speakers, variety of containers, Havaiana shoes, snacks, towels, laptops and printers and home appliances.

She added the people were so happy with their products. 

“The people were so happy with the selection of products we brought and gave the S.S.A.B. team their feedback on what products they would like us to bring to the next roadshow,” she said. “After four and a half days of selling, the roadshow ended and the team arrived last week Sunday.”

“We sold about 95 percent of the products we took.”

“The S.S.A.B. Chief Executive Officer and roadshow team are grateful for the support of the Nofoalua, Taupulega and Nukunonu residents.”

“A special thank you to Former General Manager of the Offices for the Taupulega Nukunonu, Aukusitino Vitale,   General Manager of the Offices for the Taupulega Nukunonu, Asi Fangalua Pasilio, and Owner of Te Mahina Accommodation, Sakalia (Zac) Patelesio, for their assistance in making the roadshow a success.

“S.S.A.B. is currently in the process of planning another roadshow as per request from the Taupulega Nukunonu.”

Asi was very impressed with the roadshow.

“The people’s usual shopping are done via emails through their families and friends in Apia,” said the General Manager.

“People send their money and wait for their items until the boat arrives and then check if they get their shopping or not.”

She added there are times that people don’t get what they want from Apia or because they don’t have families or friends here.

“However, the S.S.A.B. roadshow was an opportunity for our people to buy what they want from Apia here in Nukunonu,” she said.

“It’s great because our people are now aware of what they can buy and order from S.S.A.B. Those who ordered received their supplies on Tuesday afternoon when Mataliki arrived, so it is great to know that our people are continuously upgrading white wares and other supplies at home.”

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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