RADHIKA Mani lives in Nakasi with her husband and their four daughters.
Given her employment at CJS, she said it has naturally become her preferred shopping destination.
“The supermarket is convenient, and it has everything available under one roof, from basic food items to fresh produce,” she said.
Radhika also values the clean environment, spacious layout, and quality customer service offered at the store, which enhances her shopping experience.
While she occasionally buys snacks from other outlets, she primarily relies on CJS Supermarket for most of her grocery needs due to its variety and accessibility.
Apart from buying groceries at CJS Supermarket, she also frequents RB Patel Supermarket in Nakasi as it is closer to her home.
Radhika said with the newly opened CJS Mall in Nakasi, it has made it easier and accessible for her to shop freely within a distance from her home.
At home, she has a backyard garden where she grows a variety of vegetables.
“I strongly believe in living a healthy lifestyle and make intentional choices to support my family’s well-being,” she said.
“My garden includes rourou, lemon trees, eggplants, chillies, and different types of leafy greens.”
Radhika said this garden not only supplements her family’s diet with fresh produce but also helps reduce the overall cost of groceries.
For vegetables she buys from the market, and spends about $25.
Her weekly budget is $100 for groceries, which calculates to a total of $125.
She frequently buys healthy vegetables, fresh fruits, and milk to ensure they receive a balanced diet.
Other products included in her shopping list are basic food items such as cooking oil, tea, potatoes, spices, toiletries and other necessities.
“The inclusion of my homegrown produce allows me to stay within budget while still emphasising healthy meals,” she said.
Radhika emphasised that combining smart shopping with home gardening helps her create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle for her family, reflecting her commitment to both financial discipline and well-being.
She is mindful about what she buys and advises shoppers to be cautious with their spending by focusing on important and essential goods, rather than buying unnecessary items.
Radhika encourages shoppers to always be mindful of what they put in their baskets and trolleys.
“Picking out items from the shelves can be tricky at times as most of us are used to buying anything that catches our eye without a second thought!” she said.
“This is something we all have in common and it often leads to impulsive buying and over-spending.”
Radhika says it is important to avoid processed food and wise to focus more on local products.
She also emphasised the importance of having a shopping list while out and about shopping.
