WALK along Suva’s Waimanu Rd and you’re bound to see Lala’s Store, a trading outlet that has withstood the test of time.
From being there when Fiji gained independence, through the political pandemonium the country has had to endure, Lala’s Store has been a fixed point within the landscape of Fiji’s history.
Director Ramesh Lala, 77, can often be found at the store and is actively still running the family business.
Mr Lala says his grandfather, Lala Ramdir, who came to Fiji as an indentured labourer, founded the first Lala’s Store back in the 1940s.
“My grandfather finished his five-year contract and went back to India to bring my father to Fiji who was 12 years old at the time,” he said.
“They started first as a hawker business, going around selling on horseback near Nadali koro where Nausori is. Then in 1943, they moved from Nadali to Nausori where my father and uncle opened the first store.”
Mr Lala recalls how his father, Lala Totaram, and his uncle, Lala Ramdin, continued running the store in Nausori whenever his grandfather took trips back to India. However, in 1952, when his grandfather came back on his last trip from India, they moved to Suva and opened the shop that would be known as Lala’s Store while also opening a second store, which is now known as Lala and Sons that is right next door to Lala’s Store.
“At the time, both stores sold men’s and ladies’ wear.”
In 1958, they had a factory where they manufactured most of the suits, shirts and, basically, everything they’re still doing today.
“And when we came into the business, the sons of Lala Totaram, we started to convert one of the stores into a specialised line for men’s wear,” Mr Lala said.
“That was in 1960. So, we had two stores, one for specialised men’s wear and the second for an assortment of other items.”
As the years went on, Lala’s Store continued to grow in popularity, however, things briefly came to a halt during the 1987 coup.
Mr Lala says there was a major fire in which most of their inventory was destroyed.
“Most of the stuff back then was destroyed in that fire.
“The inventory, the old photos we had and whatnot, but we managed to rebuild everything.”
Mr Lala says his family business has gone through many folds, being as old as it is from a few choices of fabric to multiple choices of fabric today.
He says customer service is always important and that their products have to be right, quality-wise.
“I mean people expect quality that is how the business survives.
“We are not here for one or two days, we are here for many years and our customers are our main advertisement – spreading the word by word of mouth.
“Fashion has changed constantly over the years, people have different styles, they don’t want the same styles.
“They want something unique, something exclusive, especially in the garment trade and men’s wear, so we adjust to that.”
Mr Lala says his family is very supportive of their business, which is another reason why the business has been going for so long.
“They are very supportive of the business and if anything comes up, we always discuss it and find a solution whether it’s a new idea or what our customers need in terms of style, fabric or sizes.
“We have progressed very well. Fiji has come a long way from back then. We look to the brighter side, the past has passed on, we look to the brighter side which is the future.”
Now, Mr Lala’s son is helping run the family business, making him the third generation to operate the store.
His advice is that when it comes to business, a good price, excellent customer service and top-notch delivery go a long way. || Lala’s Store || WALK along Suva’s Waimanu Road and you’re bound to see Lala’s store, a trading outlet that has withstood the test of time.
