The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Super Value’s owner yesterday said kiosks for the Bahama Dreams web shop chain may be placed in more of his food stores, telling Tribune Business: “We’re going to sell it the way we sell Top-Up and everything else.”

Rupert Roberts confirmed that a Bahama Dreams kiosk was now operating in his Golden Gates food store, adding: “People don’t have to go sneaking around the corner now.

“The ones that want it can buy it when they buy groceries. Today, web shop gaming is legal. After the industry became legal there was one, Island Luck, that moved next door to our Super Value store in the Prince Charles Shopping Centre, and Sunday night, the traffic there was similar to what the food store draws for Christmas.”

The Super Value chief added: “It’s  a legal business now, and we decided that if the people don’t want their money they could give it to us, and we could give it to someone that needs it.

“There’s a lot of needs out there people are asking us to fill. I help all that I can. If this can help me help more, so be it. We’re going to sell it the way we sell top-up and everything else.

“When I first went into business I did not open my stores on Sunday mornings. I didn’t open the store on Sunday morning and, after five years, I realised that business was shifting to Sunday morning. People were going to church and still grocery shopping. 

“I started opening on Sundays and we have been open on Sundays ever since. People don’t have to go sneaking around the corner now; the ones that want it [numbers] can buy it when they buy groceries.”

From Super Value and Mr Roberts’ perspective, having an active web shop kiosk in their supermarkets stands to drive more consumer traffic - and more sales - to their stores.

The same could occur for Bahama Dreams, with shoppers attracted by the convenience of purchasing their groceries and ‘numbers’ at the same time.

While the business relationship makes ‘win-win’ sense for both parties, the Super Value-Bahama Dreams tie-up further legitimises the web shop gaming industry following its legalisation.

By linking with a respected company such as Super Value, that sector is becoming further drawn into the formal economy - just as its operators and the Government had hoped.

As to whether more of his stores will possess Bahama Dreams kiosks, Mr Roberts said: “We will put it in all the stores that Bahama Dreams want to have it in.

“Gas stations have it, convenience stores have it, it’s in most places. It’s legal and it’s very strictly controlled. Children are not going to be able to buy it. If there is a question, we’ll do what they do cashing cheques; ask for two forms for identification.”