OK says people need more cash

OK Zimbabwe, one of the country’s largest supermarket chains, says the country needs more cash and an environment that is free of excessive controls to allow all sectors to regain confidence in the formal economy.

In its report for the six months to September, the company says product shortages which had characterised the retail sector towards the end of the year had largely been alleviated by the lifting of price controls in May.

Interest rates had also firmed to between 95 and 130 percent by the end of September.

The shortage of cash which had affected the retail sector had been effectively resolved but consumers needed more disposable incomes.

The company, which opened three new stores in Harare, Masvingo and Triangle, had a total turnover of $80.1billion up from $15.1billion.

Operating income shot up from $1.1 billion to $9.4 billion with net profit at $7.8 billion, up from $1 billion.

The company said it was disposing of its furniture business to concentrate on its core business of department stores and supermarkets.

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