J-Mart Erima is PNG's 'shopping heaven'

J-Mart Erima offers 2,500 square metres of “shopping heaven”, the newest and most-mordern hypermarket in Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea in 2009.
Everything you see both inside and outside of the store is of the very best, the latest and most-advanced.
Everything from the cash counters, point of sale systems, shelving, staff headquarters, closed circuit TV and security system, cash transfer system, computer hardware and software are what’s setting J-Mart well ahead in the industry.
It also prides itself as an environmentally-friendly shop which uses 100% certified biodegradable shopping bags.
As you walk towards the main door, you will see a 6m-high J-Mart sign, which is especially fabricated with hundreds of LED lights to light up J-Mart at night.
You will also find panels of billboards which are sponsored by leading supplier companies and branded products in PNG.
Once you step in to the front door, what’s in front of you is spacious shopping, with various departments under the one roof.
From the entrance, you will find the food court on the left with 60-seating space area and an endless food selection that is accompanied by a wide selection of drinks and ice cream.
The food court, reminiscent of J-Mart Taurama, offers J-Mart Big Breakfast on its menu which consists of bacon or ham, baked beans or fried rice, sausage and toasted bread with complementary condiments for K13.90.
Also new to the menu is chicken adobe with chicken marinated and stewed slowly to bring out the flavours and spices and service with freshly-cooked rice.
Spaghetti bolognaise is highly praised for its tastes with spaghetti cooked al dente – an Italian cooking term referring to pasta – and served hot..
Succulent roasted chicken or best-tasting stew of beef, lamb or curry is also hot on the menu.
What I particularly liked bout J-Mart Erima was its electronics section - where you can find the latest electronic gadgets a’la Singapore, Hong Kong or Taipei – which will simply blow you away.
First up you will see the latest and fullest section of local music, which shows how big a supporter of local music J-Mart is.
The glass displays are fully stocked up with laptop computers and computer parts, digital cameras, MP3 and MP4 players, CDs and DVDs.
As you walk around electronic displays you will find style watches, clocks, walkmans and earphones.
The electronics section also has DVD players, stereo systems, speakers, TVs and a great selection of high-end products such as plama TV for those who strive for the best.
The Phonetech kiosk is the authorised dealer and reseller for Digicel, Telikom and bemobile, and carries a full range of Nokia, Samsung, LG, Blueberry, Sony Ericsson, Konka and Motorola phones as well as all the accessories that go with them.
I also liked the range of clothing on offer, with J-Mart Erima proclaiming itself to be the “best fashion capital in Port Moresby”.
An in-house pharmacist for your health and medical needs, as well as personalised assistance on your hair, body and beauty makes it stand out amongst the crowd.
A well-stocked liquor shop, fresh fruit and vegetables, various choice cuts of meat, seafood, an in-house bakery, Asian grocery, various brands of rice and flour, canned goods, personal hygiene needs, toys, Manchester goods, footwear and material such as cotton, rayon, silk and satin make J-Mart Erima indeed the shop with the widest variety in PNG.

J-Mart Erima rises like a phoenix from the ashes

On Feb 11, 2007, the popular Stop N Shop supermarket at Erima in Port Moresby was burned to ashes in a fire started by an electrical fault.

It was a gloomy and depressing sight, especially for those driving past to nearby Jacksons International Airport, and no-one expected anything to pop out of the charred debris.

But like the phoenix, the mythological bird that rose from the ashes, a magnificent new hypermarket has sprouted from the sad remains of Stop N Shop Erima.

The newest and most-mordern hypermarket in Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea, J-Mart Erima, was officially opened at a grand in-house party last Friday night and commenced operations the next day.

Comprising 2,500 square metres of “shopping heaven”, and just up the road from Jacksons International Airport, the J-Mart adds to the massive building and property boom all over PNG and offers a variety one can find in any major international city.

The founder of J-Mart is Jason Tan, who is honoured with an MBE for services to the community, and is a well-respected businessman and citizen of PNG.

He was born and raised in Malaysia and has devoted 30 years of his life in PNG.

He first came to PNG in 1980, following the footsteps of his sister, the respected Kokopo businesswoman Sandra Lau, and soon acquired skills and knowledge of running a supermarket in Rabaul and decided to expand his skills and knowledge to Port Moresby in 1990.

Over the next 15 years, he successfully set up the TST chain of stores namely Tabari Haus, Okari Haus, Tan Trading, Starland, Hohola, Waigani and Malaoro supermarkets.

Jason Tan left the TST Group of Companies in 2005 to venture out into his own independent business.

On Feb 11, 2007, one of his investment properties, what was formerly know as Stop N Shop Erima, burned to ashes, however, with his determination and resolve as well as a cash injection from Bank South Pacific, he was able to rebuild the two-storey landmark now known as J-Mart Erima.

Jason Tan was ably supported by his eldest son Justin, who was raised in Rabaul in the 1980s, went on to Singapore and Australia for further studies, and returned to Port Moresby in 2002 to work for his father

With father’s many years of experience in running large-scale supermarkets and Justin’s fresh set of eyes for the retail industry, the first modern hypermarket in PNG is setting a new benchmark for the industry.

Venue Central: Venue finding made easy!

This is just a note to advise of Skerah.com's exciting new feature which was launched today - Venue Central.   Venue Central is an online application specifically for event organisers to help them find the right venue for their next event.  Venue Central is a database driven website which has information on venues that have listed with us.  The information includes, venue name, location, description of facilities and contact details.   The unique feature of Venue Central is that a visitor can search by name, location, event category type and a more advanced search facility where an user can search by venue facilities in a particular location.  Search results are available in real time so PNG time is not applicable.   Being online means that the information is accessible anywhere, anytime.  The best thing about accessing information in the database is that it is FREE to users.   The link is:   http://venuecentral.skerah.com On Mobile and Blackberry For the business person and tech savvy, there is a mobile phone (internet) and Blackberry version which means that you can hunt for venues on the go! Venue Central came about as a result of many emails being received by organisers of events and simply businesses/organisations wanting to host a one off event. The BONUS for the mobile phone is that a the contact details for a venue has a telephone link to it which means that when clicked on the mobile, the mobile should automatically call the number!  No remembering the number and typing the number on the keypads – just a simple click! The Mobile Phone/Blackberry link is:   http://vc.skerah.com We're trying to make venue finding easy and Venue Central is the place to go to when looking for a venue. Regards Skerah.com Venue finding made easy!   Roselyn & Mea Vai http://venuecentral.skerah.com admin@skerah.com

Sir Mekere, where are you?

Being dropped home after work last night, we first had to pass through the Morata settlement, to drop off a young reporter who was ill.

The number of potholes there makes the mind boggle, and everyone on board was asking: “Where is Moresby North West MP Sir Mekere Morauta (who happens to be the good leader of the Opposition).”

Of course, I can’t deny that Sir Mekere is doing a good job in Parliament, as the outspoken Opposition leader who counters every suspect move the government makes.

However, the reality is that he, like all other MPs, receives K10 million a year for his electorate.

Why the monstrous potholes in Morata, Waigani, Tokarara and Gerehu where I live?

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop seems to be doing the hard yards for Sir Mek and the other Moresby MPs.

Over to you Sir Mek.

The thousands of 'grassroots' in Moresby North West, are baying for answers.

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

Men Are Just Happier People-- Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another petrol station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks and engines. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original colour. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one colour for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a moustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.

 

 

Jacksons airport looks cleaner and greener

Well-tended lawn at Jacksons International Airport

Green shrubbery at Jacksons International Airport

Evergreen trees give that tropical look to Jacksons International Airport

Pretty as a picture…the driveway out of Jacksons International Airport

Jacksons International Airport, often criticised in the past for being an eyesore for international visitors, has taken a turn for the better as of late.
Parks and gardens at this gateway to Papua New Guinea are now well-manicured and are something that the country can be proud of.
It is a joy to lie down on the well-mown grass, among the trees, and watch planes take off and land.
Betelnut chewing and spitting, as well as don’t-care littering, however, seem to be still prevalent in the mindset of Papua New Guineans, as seen by the red spittle and trash around both the domestic and international terminals.
Unless these are done away with, PNG will continue to suffer a negative image, given that Jacksons is the first and last impression of the country for international visitors.

Art Exhibition

The Orchid Society of PNG proudly presents Past and Living Art at the Grand Hall-National Parliament on July 25 and 26, from 9am to 5pm both days.

K1 for adults and children under 12 free.