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Beers, Wines and Spirits
to getting better. The strength of the “If a certain product is unavailable we are from South Africa – so the company
US dollar has really helped. People are always supply something else in its place. feels it important to provide South
getting more for their money so they’re There is always a need for something. Even African products for them. It sources
spending more. It’s really boosting the if a product isn’t a best seller it can always most of its wines from South Africa and
economy generally.”be used as an alternative to something stocks a lot of Distell wines. It also stocks
One challenge Mr Munsamy said else. They come in for a day or a week and wines, ciders, lavoured alcoholic drinks,
that SAI will continually face is that itthey then spend months out at sea so it’s sparkling wines, brandy and cognac.
is competing with not only other ship really important to us that we can supply Mr Munsamy also explained that the
suppliers in South Africa – but in the rest them with what they need – even if it’s not popularity of products can depend on
of the world.the exact product they wanted.”the nationalities of the ship crews. Some
Mr Munsamy explained: “Ships that He added: “The popularity of the companies tend to employ the same
come from all over the world come to products can really depend on the budget nationalities so the crew will usually
South Africa, so we are really competing the ship crews are given. If they have a stock up on similar products.
with the rest of the world. They can very tight budget then they will go for the Looking ahead to the future Mr
stop anywhere in the world to stockcheaper products. But recently as our Munsamy has some big ideas for the
up so we have to make sure our prices industry has been getting better, ships have business. He is hoping to double the
income it takes in over the next ive years.
are competitive. This is also one of the been going for the more high-end products
reasons we try to make sure that we can like Heineken. Johnnie Walker Black Label He said: “I really want to diversify the
serve our customers immediately. Some is a really iconic product and that is one business and start to introduce different
ships come in and they are only here for product that always sells really well. It is lines to the business. These are things I
a day or a week so they only have a very such an iconic product that cruise liners can’t really go into too much on yet. But
limited time to stop off and get what especially, will always want it in stock.”business is inally starting to pick up, so
they need. They need stock immediately SAI begins preparing for its cruise now is the time look how we can improve
so there needs to be a very quick liner business from November onwards. it. It’s a big ambition but what’s the
turnaround. If you lose a sale today no It sources a lot of its products for these point if you don’t have big ideas for your
matter how hard you work you cannot ships from South Africa because a lotbusiness? I am just being positive and
get it back tomorrow.of people who are onboard these shipsdoing my best to reach that goal.”