Hardship Protest: Businesses Closed, Roads Deserted in Anambra
<p>Businesses in Anambra were shut over fears of violence arising from the planned hardship protests.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv/hardship-protest-businesses-closed-roads-deserted-in-anambra/">Hardship Protest: Businesses Closed, Roads Deserted in Anambra</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.</p>
Businesses in parts of Anambra State on Thursday were closed as a result of fear of violence arising from the planned hunger protest which has been tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protest.
Though there was no gathering of people for a physical protest, but shops, markets banks, schools and other public institutions were all closed.
The streets of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi were also deserted, just as the roads were devoid of vehicular movements.
Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka which also serves as rallying point for protesters was also deserted on Thursday morning when our correspondent visited.
Some motor parks operators that opened in the morning hours latter shut down, as drivers complained of lack of passengers.
A commercial driver with Star Sunny Motors, Mr Arinze Eze told our correspondent that he travelled from Onitsha to Awka very early in the morning, and that the roads were free of vehicles or security operatives.
“The roads were free this morning when I came from Onitsha. We didn’t encounter any disturbances either.
“We did not see protesters anywhere on the road. I think people are only staying at home because they fear that there may be violence if the protest holds,” he said.
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/customers-shop-at-an-avril-store-in-quebec.jpg?id=59807039&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=45%2C0%2C45%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Grocery shopping in Quebec can be a very different experience depending on where you go — some stores make it easy and enjoyable, while others leave you frustrated before you even hit the checkout. Now, a major new study has revealed which grocery chains are actually getting it right.</p><p>The <a href="https://documents.leger360.com/hubfs/WOW%202025/WOW%20Livret%20des%20r%C3%A9sultats%202025%20EN_20250121.pdf" target="_blank">2025 WOW Study by Leger</a> surveyed over 16,000 Quebecers and had each retailer evaluated by around 400 recent visitors. Shoppers rated their in-store experiences based on everything from product quality and pricing to staff service, cleanliness, and layout.</p><p>But when it came to crowning a champ, one Quebec-based chain came out way ahead of the rest — and no, it wasn't IGA, Metro, or Provigo.</p> <h3>The top-rated grocery store in Quebec is... Avril Supermarché</h3> <p>The Quebec-based chain Avril came out on top in the province's grocery sector, scoring an impressive 79.5 out of 100 on Leger's WOW Index — a ranking system based on 16 customer experience factors, including staff attentiveness and store ambiance.</p><p>Trailing well behind were big names like:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Metro / Metro Plus</strong> – 70.4</li> <li> <strong>IGA / IGA Extra</strong> – 70.3</li> <li> <strong>Supermarché PA</strong> – 70.0</li> <li> <strong>Rachelle-Béry</strong> – 68.1</li> <li> <strong>Adonis</strong> – 66.3</li> <li> <strong>Provigo / Provigo Le Marché</strong> – 64.1</li> <li> <strong>Maxi / Maxi & Cie</strong> – 62.0</li> <li> <strong>Super C</strong> – 62.4</li> </ul> <p>Rounding out the bottom of the grocery rankings in Quebec were Intermarché, Bonanza, and Fruiterie Sami Fruits, with scores dipping into the mid-50s and low 50s.</p> <h3>What is Avril?</h3> <p>Avril Supermarché Santé is a Quebec-owned natural food market that blends the vibe of a health food boutique with the selection of a full-service grocery store. It's known for its minimalist layout, organic products, and specialty health and wellness items — think kombucha on tap, a natural cosmetics section, and in-store bistros serving plant-based meals.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzY-HXvrPc-/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzY-HXvrPc-/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>The chain was founded in Granby in 1995 and now operates <a href="https://avril.ca/en/avril-stores" target="_blank">over a dozen locations across Quebec</a>, including in Brossard, Laval, Lévis, Longueuil, Mascouche, and Quebec City. You won't find one on every corner, but if you spot one, expect a very different grocery experience from your typical big-box setup.</p><p>You can explore the entire Leger study <a href="https://documents.leger360.com/hubfs/WOW%202025/WOW%20Livret%20des%20r%C3%A9sultats%202025%20EN_20250121.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
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