WHAT bugs Ben Cayetano about the Economic Revitalization Task Force? These business guys brainstorm how to get the economy moving, says the gov, but all they come up with is government do this, government do that. Cut taxes, privatize, deregulate, blah, blah, blah. Isn't there anything the private sector could do to get things going again? Business must
mind the storeEnergetic First Spouse Vicky Cayetano says many businesses must change. For instance, a neighborhood store that's trying to compete with wholesale clubs and supermarkets. ''They have a huge inventory,'' she says, ''produce, meat -- everything you can think of. Two of this and two of that.''
But who, Vicky asks, still buys the week's groceries at the neighborhood mom and pop? Cut the inventory, stock just what people actually buy, improve service and maybe even raise prices. Costco sells price; neighborhood stores sell location, hours, convenience.
People in Hawaii used to make do. A friend of mine would say ''they won't let you have that here'' when her size was sold out -- and it almost always was. Retailing was running a cash register. Marketing was a mainland thing.
But order a sportcoat from Wisconsin today and it'll be on your porch tomorrow when you get home. Wrong size? They replace it the next day. The people on the other end of the phone are helpful and pleasant. No hassles. Smart service sells.
Hawaii, are you listening?