By Zoila Palma: Over the weekend, Belizean shoppers flocked to Chinese-owned grocery stores in their communities to take advantage of the GST-free weekend.
Across the country, these grocery stores saw steady traffic from shoppers.
It is no secret that in Belize, Chinese-owned grocery stores dominate retail food sales.
A recent Google Form survey conducted shows a mixed public perception of Chinese businesses, even as many Belizeans relied on them for discounted shopping during the GST-free weekends.
According to the data, 34.2% of respondents said Chinese-owned stores contribute positively to their community, while 48.9% said they do not.
Only a small percentage selected neutral or mixed options such as “Not sure” or “Some.”
The results reflect a complex relationship: while these stores offer affordable prices and convenience, many Belizeans feel community engagement from these businesses remain limited.
This concern has become more visible in recent years.
Community leaders say sponsorship from Chinese-owned stores—for sports teams, school fundraisers, or local cultural events—has declined.
In addition, local officials told BBN that requests for contributions are often turned down even though these stores benefit heavily from Belizean shoppers all year round.
The same survey conducted recently also showed that while Chinese-owned grocery stores remain a critical part of Belize’s retail landscape, when asked whether Belizean-owned small businesses can compete with Chinese-owned ones, 51.6% said “No, the market is already dominated,” while 22% said competition is possible only with government support.
Just 20.9% believe local businesses can compete on equal footing.
These findings reflect that while Chinese-owned stores benefit from heavy consumer traffic, Belizean entrepreneurs face widening structural disadvantages—raising urgent questions about economic balance, market fairness, and the future of small business in Belize.
The post Chinese-owned grocery stores see major boost during GST-free weekends, but how do they contribute to community events? appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Over the weekend, Belizean shoppers flocked to Chinese-owned grocery stores in their communities to take advantage of the GST-free weekend. Across the country, these grocery stores saw steady traffic from shoppers. It is no secret that in Belize, Chinese-owned grocery stores dominate retail food sales. A recent Google Form survey conducted shows
The post Chinese-owned grocery stores see major boost during GST-free weekends, but how do they contribute to community events? appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.