This is awesome, so... how much do they cost? Is it affortable for those who live, work and earn Samoan tala, or is it for those who visit from outside the country? Yes, I am curious. To many business owners in Samoa put their cost way out of reach that the people there can not afford them. Prices are estimated at the purchased and shipping cost, plus whatever the business owner feel they want to earn from all that, add it all up, its too much. I know, either buy from them or buy it from somewhere else, now we're back to the government's position. Are they doing enough to persuade manufactures and others to bring business to Samoa so that we can produce and sell some of there product there at an affodable price? Business owners have to find cheaper ways to help those who live there, or are they really there to help move the country forward or to feed there own hunger? In one of the store I saw a kid's $2.50 US dollars lunch box at $28 (tala), you know the one with the picture of Spiderman on it? (Yes, it's a tin can) - Ok, do the math on that one. I refused to buy anything there because I am not going to support anyone's business thats going to sell toys at such a rediculous price. I rather buy it from an honest business owner who is actually for the people and not himself. Samoa can't be that desperate for a kid's lunch box. At least I hope not.

In the report the owner said the items will cost the same as NZ and Aussie. Well this particular brand is not exactly cheap. It is a high quality brand and even in NZ and Aussie it's still a bit more expensive than if you buy the lower quality undies. However their fitting and all is why I personally dish out to buy it. THey last long and it is a true value for money. So if it's the same price as the ones in NZ then that's great. You can't really expect the business owner to lower the price from those overseas because then they won't make much money out of it. However the said lunch box you mentioned that's just pure greed if you ask me. But you're right lomi a lot of shops in Apia buy things from those cheap markets in the US and then sell them at exorbitant prices in Samoa. Like you I don't bother buying from them either. But I guess they do it because they can and in the end they are earning bucks out of it and not out there to feed the hungry!!
Cheers

Samoa is way too expensive....even the product that made in Samoa is way too expensive...like the t-shirt with the Samoa design on it...They sell it $35 tala for one......And here in Hawaii i can get 5 shirts with different Samoa design on it for $20 USD...and i agree with Lomi about the cost of the toys there...are way too much...for a remote controll 4x4 truck they sell it for $200 or $300 tala... here is only $29 USD or the expensive one is about $99 USD...now who would like to buy anything from there when its way too much..and some of the tourist that i met and talked to in Apia told me..Samoa is a beautiful island friendly people but the cost of living is way too much.

No doubt that the cost of living in Samoa is very expensive especially compared to what people earn. Thanks to our idiotic government who also introduce higher taxes that make it more expensive for our people to afford much. By the way you shouldn't compare Samoa to the US that get their stuff made in sweat shops in China and other countries. In Samoa people still buy products from overseas and have to pay customs and taxes so in the end it's still expensive. Things aren't made in Samoa a lot of the time except printing which they do and paint and all that are expensive in Samoa.

You are all correct. I enjoy reading everyone's take on things. I'm not a woman so I don't know how much these things cost, but glad to hear its a good brand. What I think though is, do we really need top brand/expensive merchandise or just something good and affordable. Remember, we are talking about Samoa. I'm not saying that we'll take anything as long as it'll cover something. What I'm trying to say is, can you see someone from Eva in Apia looking for a top brand item because they have to have it? If they are, they're foolish and selfish. There are more important things to do with money in Samoa than top brand undergarment. I am a Samoan thinking like a Samoan. I hope when I send money to my sister in-law to buy something nice for herself she's not looking at a $100 bra. If she is, for sure I'll cut this darn money tree down in my backyard and save me some money on water. Every time I'm in Samoa I just wished there was something I could do to improve life. People there seemed to want to move forward but its tuff. Almost every little hut has something that requires electricity to run it. Samoa is intertwining future and past in hope of keeping up with time. Then you go to town and it seems like a time capsule waiting to explode into the future but something is keeping it from happening. Just the little things. I'm not talking about tall building and rail roads type of future but small things. Apia is dirty and need to be clean. Dirty down town reminds me of when I was 6 years old when my dad took me there for Flag day. It was dirty then, its still dirty now and I'm 38 and ugly now. Sidewalks are filthy. Business owners do not care what the outside of their building look like. Sorry, got off the subjet a little bit. But hey, I make ok wages and I don't buy top expensive brand and I'm still alive. Those living in Samoa should do the same and live withn their means no matter what. May be one day we can all find a way to help out huh........Thanks for reading

thanks for comments regarding the new market nitche or maria nitche...well its nice to see that couple with their new business in Samoa but, as lomi says that samoa shouldn't worry or bother about what sort of clothes they wear...there wasn't and never been a lingerie niche in samoa because that sort of business is not needed or essential in the majority of samoa ...wearing expensive,cheaper or even nothing at all doesn't neccessary makes you look wealthier and nicer from other peoples view...it might be better off buying chinese products as its cheaper and affordable or else buy a fabric from one of the marts and ask your mum to sew it for you, that will even save you more... that's not a market niche, it's a ripniche...I just came back from samoa and I agree with you guys about the cost of living in Samoa. I's skyrocket in prices but poor in qualities...prices are high but, it looks like it has been sitting on selves for more than two years....not quite sure whether I've seen any use dates on packets of food items...one day I bought a meal at a fast food outlet which I found a long dye hair in my burger. I reported to the restaurant and they said, " thanks for letting us know and have a good day "...I should have reported it to the department of health but unfortunately thats my last day of my holiday...so be very careful... both prices and qualities.

I'm sorry but I'm a bit insulted by Lomi and Me Too with their comments about people in Samoa. You are generalising. What's good for people overseas is good enough for our local people. Having the quality products available on our shores gives Samoans a choice. You make out like ALL Samoans can't afford to buy quality high priced goods. Well get off your high horses and smell the coffee. We in Samoa also have our own preferences and if I choose to spend on an expensive undergarment that last two years over a Chinese made cheap product that last one month that is my decision, my choice and my money. You have no say on what many other Samoans want to spend their money on. Just because you think your cousins in Samoa can't afford quality goods doesn't mean they don't want them nor prefer them. If you like your cheaps goods then that's your choice. I'm glad that these owners have brought this particular store to Samoa to save the hassle for many. And by the way it's a niche market which means there is a demand for it hence is the opeining of the store. And gone are the days when you used to wear undies with elastic from car tyres now we prefer Elle McPherson and bendon products.
And Lomi you sound like a snotty nosed freshie. Apia is one of the cleanest cities in the Pacific. I think you should just stay where you are if you think our country is so dirty. And for the hair in the burger, people overseas also accidently shed hair on food not just Samoa.
And if you care so much for our people why don't one of you open a business in Samoa with cheap lingerie for the rest of the population and see if you can?

Its good to have this brand name products in our country...but majority of the people in Samoa can't afford it...Probably only those who owns business and those with high power can afford it..but for some of the family back in Samoa that are rely on their families overseas to send money for the fa'alavelave...the childrens school fee...pay for the electric etc...those are the people who can't afford to pay for it...and if this lingerie same prices as Australia and NZ so its abit higher if we think about the value of the money in those two countries...

HAVE A SAFE AND A HAPPY EASTER SAMOA

The Observer is talking precisely and realistically about this topic...we are all coming from two directions, for and against, and to express or own opinions regarrding this market niche...as I previously menntioned, that this is not a market niche due to high price and low wages in Samoa compare to NZ and Aussie. We are not saying something against our people in Samoa but that is the truth...if the new business had conducted a survey questionnaire asking people "Would you prefer to buy an expensive brand or less expensive brand"...I would say that somewhere around 99% of respondents would prefer the cheaper one...is that a market niche?...even us over here we have the monies but it's something that we buy when we have the time or come across to that particular shop...if I have ever decided to set up a business in Samoa...firstly...conduct a market research...find out a market segment...find out a target market...the 4ps...swot analysis etc...and make sure I have enough target market percentage to serve my business and that's a market niche...however fortunately I have enough income from my seven properties and share investments/managed funds to cope with my financial needs within the next 40 years ahead...
cheers...last comment