How to make the most of your shopping budget

In this feature we focus on the independent, small wholesalers who carry goods in bulk.

In these tough economic times it makes sense to bulk buy products you use as a family on a regular basis, such as dry groceries, cleaning products and toiletries.

In the past couple of years wholesale stores have sprung up across the island, and numbers continue to grow as entrepreneurs capitalize on consumers seeking to save money in the recession.

It is worth seeking out one in your neighbourhood to discover the savings you can make on your everyday items.

Kita’s Wholesale

63 Court Street, Hamilton.

Mondays to Saturdays 9am-7pm, Sundays 2-6pm.

Tel. 296-7010.

Kevin and Laquita Hill opened Kita’s Wholesale three months ago, next to their hair salon, Kita’s Beauty Salon and Barber Shop.

“We felt the opportunity was there for the business, as we thought we could do better than the prices we saw at the other wholesalers,” said Mr Hill.

“We are cheaper, but we are small so we can’t carry everything.

“We sell bulk detergent, toiletries, dry goods, dog and cat food, drinks and snacks, and women’s clothing. We cater mostly to the plus-size woman.

“Our most popular items are laundry detergent, cereals, cleaning supplies and paper towels.

“People will come by and see the prices and say they are cheaper than elsewhere. People do actually shop around for items and look at the prices.

“With the economy the way it is, it makes more sense to buy in bulk.

“People are looking for cheaper items and are looking to get more bang for their buck.

“At our shop you can buy a bulk double-pack of cereal for $13-14, which is almost three times the size of a grocery store pack.”

He added three tubs of Clorox bleach costs $22.50.

Mr Hill said business is going well. “We hold our own, we do alright and are getting customers from all over the island.”

More For Less

12 Old Military Road, St George’s.

Mondays to Saturdays 8am-8pm, Sundays 11am-5pm. On December 15 and 22, the store will open until 9pm.

Tel. 297-0293.

In the East End, More For Less offers “all-round savings” on family and household items.

“It’s a family store so we get parents coming in with their children,” said Tanya Franks, director of Armadillo Management Co Ltd, which runs the store for owners Gagner Holdings Ltd.

She said: “These days families are sharing items they buy in bulk, such as toiletries, because it is more economical for all.”

More For Less opened in March 2010 and sells single items as well as bulk packages. One of the store’s biggest sellers is Scott toilet paper. This costs $40 for 36 rolls but shoppers can also buy single rolls.

“Individual rolls in stores usually sell for $1.40-50, so you’re still paying much less,” said Ms Franks.

“We break down certain items so you can buy them individually, but still get savings on them.”

The store currently has a raffle for a Christmas tree, with tickets for $3. The draw takes place on December 15.

It sells gift certificates year-round and there is also a rewards programme. Each time someone spends more than $50 they get a hole punched in their reward card.

After eight punches, the customer gets 10 per cent off a shopping trip.

Hasco Imports

11 Industrial Park Road, Southampton.

Mondays to Thursdays 9am-7pm, Fridays 9am-5pm, Sundays 11am-5pm.

Tel. 238-4723.

In the West End, Hasco Imports opened just last month to provide residents with savings on everyday items.

But already, co-owner Lynn Hassell is reporting a brisk trade.

“Business is doing really well. A lot of people have come in and said they are happy to see something like this in the West End,” said Mrs Hassell.

Mrs Hassell and her husband Martin also own Hasco Construction and Hasco Cabinetry.

“We have wanted to diversify into retail for a long time,” she said.

“We live in this area and felt Southampton and Somerset needed a savings store.

“Bulk buy stores are less expensive, so in this economy it’s the perfect type of business to open.

“Anything that can keep the costs down for the consumer should do well in an economy like this.

“People are looking for savings, and there are tremendous savings in buying in bulk.

“If you can’t afford to buy the whole packet, we will break it down for you into individual items so it’s less expensive.”

Hasco Imports stocks dry groceries, drinks and snacks, cleaning supplies, toys (Barbie, LEGO, Disney), pet supplies, health and beauty products.

Mrs Hassell said: “Our health and beauty section, and our cleaning supplies, are very popular. Also, our toys, drinks and sodas.

“We also import items if people can’t find what they are looking for on the island. You can import special items, such as toys, appliances or furniture, and people even send us their Amazon orders.

“But mainly it’s items they can’t find locally. We can act like a personal shopper for people.”

The company will order your item, ship it and clear it through Customs. It can also deliver it to you for a delivery fee.

“No item is too small or too large,” said Mrs Hassell.

Hasco Imports gives a five per cent discount on cash purchases on Sundays. Examples of prices include: Clorox bleach 182oz $5.95; Blue Ribbon rice 10lb $12.15; Deer Park bottled water 48 x 8oz $13.00; Ocean Spray cranberry juice 96oz $5.95; Honey Nut Cheerios 49oz $10.80; Lalaloopsy doll $38.80; 36 12 fl oz sodas $19.95; and 24 $13.40.

Just Rite Enterprises

Marsh Folly Road, Pembroke.

Mondays to Fridays 7:30am-7:30pm, Sundays 10am-5pm.

Tel. 295-6407.

At Just Rite Enterprises, there is a focus is on providing specialty foods to the different nationalities across the island.

The store opened 16 years ago and over the years has built up a reputation for supplying ethnic food products unobtainable elsewhere in Bermuda, as well as being a reliable neighbourhood store.

It has a large selection of Indian and Sri Lankan foods, as well as a West Indian section and a growing African selection of products.

Co-owner Derek Albuoy said: “We started off small, about 10 years ago, selling Basmati rice.

“People from the Indian community asked us if we could get more food stuffs in and so we made a trip overseas (to a wholesaler on the US East Coast), and it just grew from there.

“The Indian population has grown in Bermuda and so there is a need for it.

“From what I’m told, we are unique on the island.

“The Indian community loves coming here and seeing these products, because it means they don’t have to bring them back whenever they go home. Ninety per cent of the products, they can now find here.

“We also carry Indian vegetables, paratas (flat breads) and dals (peas and pulses).”

Mr Albuoy added: “We’ve also started off an African section.

“We have products from Ghana, and most of our African clientele are from Ghana or Nigeria, so we’re trying to accommodate them as well.

“We also sell West Indian foods, and have curries from there as well.

“So we cater to a cross-section of people in our community.

“We have a variety of people from around the world in Bermuda, so obviously we have to cater for them.”

The store — which is owned by a group of friends — also sells general consumer dry goods, toiletries and detergents.

There is a 10 per cent discount for cash/cheques on Mondays and a seniors’ discount on Tuesdays.

Fumbly’s Wholesale

76 North Shore Road, Hamilton Parish.

Mondays to Fridays 8am-7pm, Saturdays 8am-8pm, Sundays 10am-4pm.

Tel. 542-0941.

Daric Seymour’s business, Fumbly’s Wholesale, grew out of importing feed for his farm animals to save himself money.

Fumbly’s Wholesale, an animal/pet food store, opened at Shelly Bay in August. It also sells general household goods.

Mr Seymour said: “I have a small farm with pigs, rabbits, chickens and horses, but with the economic downturn I found myself struggling to pay for their care and feed, so I started bringing in the feed myself.

“Some friends then suggested I should start bringing in items for them too. It all led to me buying this shop.

“I bring in more than just feed now. I  sell vitamins, bedding, pet dishes, toys, cat litter, and pigeon, parrot and guinea pig food. I also have dog training pads to house-train puppies.”

He said business is “so far, so good”.

“This store is different from everyone else’s because most people sell stuff for dogs and cats but this is a step further.

“I carry stuff for all animals, such as goats, horses, ducks, chickens and other farm animals, as opposed to just pets.

“That’s the difference in coming here — everything is under one roof.”

He added: “We also sell a  variety of goods, including cleaning, laundry, bath and body products, juices, cereals, snacks, condiments and seasonings.

“We also have some Christmas stuff, such as ornaments, toys, decorative plates and cups.”

Hunt’s Food & Supplies Ltd

5 Quarry Lane, Khyber Pass, Warwick.

Mondays to Fridays 9am-7pm, Saturdays 8am-8pm, Sundays 12-5pm.

Tel. 236-6343.

Hunt’s Food & Supplies was one of the forerunners of wholesale stores in Bermuda and this year celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Staff pride themselves on their customer service and helping others.

Akil Darrell, marketing and floor manager, said: “Our motto is, we don’t just serve customers but we go above and beyond for them.

“We speak to everyone in the store and will take your shopping out for you.

“We pride ourselves on our customer service.”

Mr Darrell said since the economic downturn, family members will come in to buy large bulk items such as toilet rolls and then distribute them among their cousins, brothers and sisters and parents.

“We get a lot of people coming in for the whole family, who then split the items between them. It works out cheaper this way in this economy.”

Hunt’s Food & Supplies sells frozen foods, dry groceries, juice and sodas, school snack items, household cleaning products, paper products, toiletries, diapers and party/picnic items, such as paper plates, cups and napkins.

“We also sell the cheapest liquor and cigarettes in Bermuda, and we have the cheapest, most attractive Christmas decorations, from just $1.99,” said Mr Darrell.

The store also sells refillable liquid laundry detergent, such as the environmentally-friendly ECOS, by Earth Friendly Products. A 6.21 litre container (for 210 High-Efficiency loads) costs $31.95, with refills from an economical $25 per container.

Hunt’s Food & Supplies Ltd is owned by Nelson Hunt and offers a five per cent discount to all shoppers on Tuesdays. On Thursdays there is a  10 per cent seniors’ discount.

To mark the store’s 10th anniversary, shoppers also receive a five per cent discount on purchases on Sundays (until December 30).