Shop A to Z with game store
It’s the newest thing in town and as usual, Kampala is extremely excited. Last Thursday morning when the game store opened, you had to ask yourself if a public holiday had been declared. Who was at work?
By Tina Turyagyenda
It’s the newest thing in town and as usual, Kampala is extremely excited. Last Thursday morning when the game store opened, you had to ask yourself if a public holiday had been declared. Who was at work?
The vast parking space at the Lugogo complex was filled almost to capacity — and it’s a big lot, so that’s a lot of cars. More people jumped out of taxis — one of the store’s greatest strengths is accessibility for all. Obviously, the game management had expected this — the pillars leading to the entrance had posters telling customers to line up! It was crazy, to say the least. 91.3 Capital FM announced their winner — the 913th customer on Saturday morning — at about 11.00am. Meaning one thousand and more people had entered the place by noon!
Some people were actually shopping — most drawn by the prices that are supposed to be the best in town. Others were taking a look to confirm. The question: Is this a breath of fresh air, worth the hullabaloo or plenty of hot air?
One thing is sure. In a country where we have numerous “one-stop shopping†centres that don’t cover even half your shopping list, game solves that problem. The sections, clearly marked in white and pink signs hanging up above our heads, range from sweets to tents.
The sweet tooth people I’ve talked to will tell you that the candy prices aren’t all that. You can buy most brands at the same price or even lower, elsewhere (in which case, all they have to do is tell the game authorities and they can get it at the lower price, we hear!) But then again, how many people are going to game with specially to buy chocolate?
The real attractions are well priced — so far. The adverts had the not-so-hidden fine print assuring us that the discount prices would last until June 27 or while stock lasts. And that the management had the right to limit quantity.
Prices that good? And so people rushed there. I saw some blouses on Thursday, each going for sh3000. That’s even cheaper than the proverbial “down-townâ€. When I returned on Monday, they were gone. There was a shelf in the kitchen electrical appliances that was empty. A “as advertised†poster was all that remained to show that goods once stood there.
A day after doomsday for the customers who didn’t have the money (June 28), the prices hadn’t changed for the stock that had survived the frenzy. There was instead, an extension to July 4. And so items like the excitingly priced Defy gas cooker going for sh339,000 are still at prices we couldn’t have dreamed of.
A real bargain, I’m told by seasoned homemakers. It should be more than double that price! And if you are suspicious about the toaster, iron and jug kettles going for a bit over sh20000, the items are all guaranteed for 12 months. Second hand electricals dealers are in a bit of trouble — and game has just about any appliance you’ll need (I think).
Homemakers should have a real good time, as long as money allows. There’s a variety of blinds, the ever so convinient alternative to curtains, which I think will be quite popular. Food and cleaning agents, household essentials like towels and bedsheets are in the usual price range.
The children’s duvet covers caught my eye, particularly because they are matched with the curtains. The catch, though, is in the fact that the label tells you that they are matched, but separately. Meaning you buy the cover at sh73,000 and the curtains at sh73,000 and not the whole set as you might think. If you do take the joint set, it will go for sh107,000. The logic is simple. If you can only afford one at a time...
Things like those remind you that this is not a charity organisation. Profits will still be on the minds of the business owners. You can also buy lamp shades to match, going for about sh38,000 each. High? You have to pay a price to create heaven for your angel.
Out of the house, there are machines to take care of your compound. So you don’t have to travel to Muyenga or the rather inaccessible industrial area for those without their own cars. The sports shops haven’t been left out either. For “really fit prices†you can get golf sets and carts, balls, and different types of gym equipment.
Then there are tents and camping gear. Again, those in the know tell me that the prices are going to give the few other suppliers we’ve had, a run for their money. A comfortable-looking sleeping bag goes for as little as sh60,000. Solving all your slumber problems.
There is also outdoor furniture, barbeque stoves in different shapes and sizes. And that takes us back in door, with nice, unique furniture. Of course the bargain carpets are of a lower quality than the smaller, dearer ones. The chairs match coffee set, wall cabinet and so on, but each has a rather high price tag. The total in reality isn’t something to smile about. Many people would be content to make their own imitations as we are already wont to do.
This is the one place that your man will love shopping with you. There are no cars sold here, but they are taken care of. You can buy car kits, oils, tyres, cushions. No houses on sale, either, but you can buy tiles and chandeliers at prices that will have some other dealers re-thinking.
The ladies will be pleased that the L’Oreal products are quite affordable, as are most of the toileteries and cosmetics. You have deodorant roll-on going for as little as sh1800 (“Does it work or it’s just a smell?†someone near me asked!) And for those that are new mothers, pampers going for even lower than in wholesale shops, come with a gift packet of sanitary towels. A reminder of the world as it will be!
Jewellry that’s sealed and you can be sure genuine, goes for as low as sh10,000 for earpins. There are also dolls, tricycles, painting books, crayons and all manner of toys and clothes for those that will play with them. So if you go shopping with the little ones, you don’t have to worry about getting them something. (I must digress a bit and tell you that Shoprite now has car seats fixed on the trollies!)
The little girls’ clothes, are particularly interesting and some go for as low as sh3000! And you don’t have to worry about the fact that there are quite a number in the same style and colour. Even if there were 100 identical items, what’s the chance that 100 little girls will be in the same place, at the same time, in the same clothes?
It’s not as easy for the adults, because some clothes, like the orange, green and blue shorts, shirts and dresses really stand out. Everyone would know where you got what and at how much and for some people, those are issues. Especially if the shoes, even though they are easily afforadble at sh27000, are not that impressive. Knowing that many people in Uganda send for their shoes abraod just to be unique, the mass arrivals aren’t going to be a big hit.
In fact, Shoprite next door had better — if not much more impressive — options in footwear. Actually, Shoprite has many of the same goods.
The newest innovation at the new shoprite, by the way, is the wines and spirits section. Set apart, you can linger there... but we were comparing them to game overall. I noticed several goods that are in both places. Different brands, granted, but Shoprite was cheaper. I’m not sure if that says anything about quality, but how much different can the quality of plastic clothes hangers be and does that difference matter so much that you must spend a bit more?
The presence of Shoprite, though, makes it a real one-stop centre (surely, by now you believe me!).
You can still get fast foods and fresh foods there which you don’t in game. And if you think that a few cowpeas for 1000 bucks is too high for you, Nakawa market is a walking distance. One stop, I told you!
It’s the newest thing in town and as usual, Kampala is extremely excited. Last Thursday morning when the game store opened, you had to ask yourself if a public holiday had been declared. Who was at work?
The vast parking space at the Lugogo complex was filled almost to capacity — and it’s a big lot, so that’s a lot of cars. More people jumped out of taxis — one of the store’s greatest strengths is accessibility for all. Obviously, the game management had expected this — the pillars leading to the entrance had posters telling customers to line up! It was crazy, to say the least. 91.3 Capital FM announced their winner — the 913th customer on Saturday morning — at about 11.00am. Meaning one thousand and more people had entered the place by noon!
Some people were actually shopping — most drawn by the prices that are supposed to be the best in town. Others were taking a look to confirm. The question: Is this a breath of fresh air, worth the hullabaloo or plenty of hot air?
One thing is sure. In a country where we have numerous “one-stop shopping†centres that don’t cover even half your shopping list, game solves that problem. The sections, clearly marked in white and pink signs hanging up above our heads, range from sweets to tents.
The sweet tooth people I’ve talked to will tell you that the candy prices aren’t all that. You can buy most brands at the same price or even lower, elsewhere (in which case, all they have to do is tell the game authorities and they can get it at the lower price, we hear!) But then again, how many people are going to game with specially to buy chocolate?
The real attractions are well priced — so far. The adverts had the not-so-hidden fine print assuring us that the discount prices would last until June 27 or while stock lasts. And that the management had the right to limit quantity.
Prices that good? And so people rushed there. I saw some blouses on Thursday, each going for sh3000. That’s even cheaper than the proverbial “down-townâ€. When I returned on Monday, they were gone. There was a shelf in the kitchen electrical appliances that was empty. A “as advertised†poster was all that remained to show that goods once stood there.
A day after doomsday for the customers who didn’t have the money (June 28), the prices hadn’t changed for the stock that had survived the frenzy. There was instead, an extension to July 4. And so items like the excitingly priced Defy gas cooker going for sh339,000 are still at prices we couldn’t have dreamed of.
A real bargain, I’m told by seasoned homemakers. It should be more than double that price! And if you are suspicious about the toaster, iron and jug kettles going for a bit over sh20000, the items are all guaranteed for 12 months. Second hand electricals dealers are in a bit of trouble — and game has just about any appliance you’ll need (I think).
Homemakers should have a real good time, as long as money allows. There’s a variety of blinds, the ever so convinient alternative to curtains, which I think will be quite popular. Food and cleaning agents, household essentials like towels and bedsheets are in the usual price range.
The children’s duvet covers caught my eye, particularly because they are matched with the curtains. The catch, though, is in the fact that the label tells you that they are matched, but separately. Meaning you buy the cover at sh73,000 and the curtains at sh73,000 and not the whole set as you might think. If you do take the joint set, it will go for sh107,000. The logic is simple. If you can only afford one at a time...
Things like those remind you that this is not a charity organisation. Profits will still be on the minds of the business owners. You can also buy lamp shades to match, going for about sh38,000 each. High? You have to pay a price to create heaven for your angel.
Out of the house, there are machines to take care of your compound. So you don’t have to travel to Muyenga or the rather inaccessible industrial area for those without their own cars. The sports shops haven’t been left out either. For “really fit prices†you can get golf sets and carts, balls, and different types of gym equipment.
Then there are tents and camping gear. Again, those in the know tell me that the prices are going to give the few other suppliers we’ve had, a run for their money. A comfortable-looking sleeping bag goes for as little as sh60,000. Solving all your slumber problems.
There is also outdoor furniture, barbeque stoves in different shapes and sizes. And that takes us back in door, with nice, unique furniture. Of course the bargain carpets are of a lower quality than the smaller, dearer ones. The chairs match coffee set, wall cabinet and so on, but each has a rather high price tag. The total in reality isn’t something to smile about. Many people would be content to make their own imitations as we are already wont to do.
This is the one place that your man will love shopping with you. There are no cars sold here, but they are taken care of. You can buy car kits, oils, tyres, cushions. No houses on sale, either, but you can buy tiles and chandeliers at prices that will have some other dealers re-thinking.
The ladies will be pleased that the L’Oreal products are quite affordable, as are most of the toileteries and cosmetics. You have deodorant roll-on going for as little as sh1800 (“Does it work or it’s just a smell?†someone near me asked!) And for those that are new mothers, pampers going for even lower than in wholesale shops, come with a gift packet of sanitary towels. A reminder of the world as it will be!
Jewellry that’s sealed and you can be sure genuine, goes for as low as sh10,000 for earpins. There are also dolls, tricycles, painting books, crayons and all manner of toys and clothes for those that will play with them. So if you go shopping with the little ones, you don’t have to worry about getting them something. (I must digress a bit and tell you that Shoprite now has car seats fixed on the trollies!)
The little girls’ clothes, are particularly interesting and some go for as low as sh3000! And you don’t have to worry about the fact that there are quite a number in the same style and colour. Even if there were 100 identical items, what’s the chance that 100 little girls will be in the same place, at the same time, in the same clothes?
It’s not as easy for the adults, because some clothes, like the orange, green and blue shorts, shirts and dresses really stand out. Everyone would know where you got what and at how much and for some people, those are issues. Especially if the shoes, even though they are easily afforadble at sh27000, are not that impressive. Knowing that many people in Uganda send for their shoes abraod just to be unique, the mass arrivals aren’t going to be a big hit.
In fact, Shoprite next door had better — if not much more impressive — options in footwear. Actually, Shoprite has many of the same goods.
The newest innovation at the new shoprite, by the way, is the wines and spirits section. Set apart, you can linger there... but we were comparing them to game overall. I noticed several goods that are in both places. Different brands, granted, but Shoprite was cheaper. I’m not sure if that says anything about quality, but how much different can the quality of plastic clothes hangers be and does that difference matter so much that you must spend a bit more?
The presence of Shoprite, though, makes it a real one-stop centre (surely, by now you believe me!).
You can still get fast foods and fresh foods there which you don’t in game. And if you think that a few cowpeas for 1000 bucks is too high for you, Nakawa market is a walking distance. One stop, I told you!