Morris Hedstrom (MH)

Morris Hedstrom (MH) is Fiji’s largest wholesale and retail organisation with a chain of Supermarkets and Homemaker (variety) Stores. Its evolution into today’s large trading enterprise began in 1910 when Suva’s Arthur Joske Limited and Levuka’s Morris Hedstrom and Company joined forces to become “store-keepers, general merchants, wine and spirit merchants, insurance agents, auctioneers and planters.” MH now concentrates on retail and wholesale operations and the “MH” name has become a part of the fabric of Fiji life. In the environs of the capital Suva, MH operates supermarkets in the City, Nabua, Nasinu and a suburban shopping complex in Tamavua. It also operates specialised Homemaker Stores in the City and Nabua and a variety and stationery store also in the City. The MH chain of stores extends to Nausori, Naulu and Korovou not far from Suva, and on to Navua, Sigatoka, Nadi, Namaka and Lautoka in the West, Ba and Tavua on the north-western coast of the main island, Labasa and Savusavu on Vanua Levu, the second largest island, and Somosomo on the island of Taveuni. MH merchandise spans a broad range of goods from foodstuffs, overseas fashions and modern appliances to basic agricultural supplies. These come from Fiji’s own expanding sources of local supply as well as from Australia, New Zealand and Asia. MH variety stores carry liquor and tobacco, children’s and baby wear, fine fabrics and fashion garments, men’s wear, shoes, furniture and furnishing fabrics as well as floor coverings, appliances and utensils, crockery, glassware, and homeware, audio and video equipment and Hifi’s radios, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries, gardening and agricultural chemicals and tools, supplies and paints, travel goods … in fact all a shopper could want. MH supermarkets offer a wide selection of groceries, fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, frozen food and seafood. Greater emphasis on hygienic handling, and concerted efforts to enhance presentation of seafood, meats, fresh fruit and vegetables have proved popular and increased customer inflow. MH relentlessly pursues its drive towards continuing value, quality, freshness, cleanliness, dependability and service. This initiative is to prove to the consumers that the best value is at MH. Additional activities include wholesaling of grocery lines, liquor and agricultural products and contract and bulk supply services. MH also operates agency and distributorship marketing for a number of well-known international brands.