Samoa - Domestic trade

Apia, the capital, is the center of commercial life. Many firms act as agents for shipping and airlines and for overseas commercial organizations generally. Outside Apia, trading stations, linked with the capital by launch and road transport, collect produce and distribute consumer goods. Several major firms operate about 200 stations in the outer districts and secure a large share of the total commercial business. There are also a number of smaller firms and independent traders. In Apia, various firms and small shops sell imported commodities and domestic products. Open markets sponsoring local produce vendors are a common food retailing situation for a nation where 65% of the work force is employed in agriculture. The largest such market is Meketi Fou in Apia. Office hours are from 8 AM to noon and resume from 1 PM to 4:30 PM .