分类： business

Jamaica’s automotive landscape has welcomed a new contender with the official arrival of GAC Motor, one of China’s premier automobile manufacturers. Fidelity Motors, a subsidiary of the Barbados-based Goddard Enterprises Limited (GEL) Auto Division, has been appointed as the exclusive authorized dealer for the brand in Jamaica, announced at a launch event at their downtown Kingston showroom on November 26.

The introduction marks a significant expansion of GEL Auto’s regional network, which has already established the GAC brand across several Caribbean markets including Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Barbados, and Grenada. Alan Bayne, Chief Executive Officer of GEL Auto Division, emphasized the strategic importance of this expansion, noting that Jamaica’s Fidelity Motors now joins this growing distribution network.

Deborah Stewart, General Manager of Fidelity Motors Limited, presented the GAC lineup as representing “a future-focused approach to mobility,” highlighting the brand’s combination of world-class design, advanced safety systems, technological innovation, and competitive pricing. The partnership is bolstered by support from Motorworld, the regional distributor for GAC, and the established GAC dealership in Saint Maarten.

Initially, Fidelity Motors will offer five distinct GAC models, comprising four SUVs and one sedan, with one model featuring all-electric propulsion. The showcased vehicles include the sporty GS3 Emzoom targeting younger buyers, the angular Emkoo SUV, the flagship seven-seat GS8, the performance-oriented Empow sedan, and the all-electric AION V compact SUV from GAC’s electric sub-brand.

A notable technological highlight is the Android-based smartwatch included with vehicle purchases, which functions as an integrated third key fob enabling remote start capabilities and other vehicle functions. Complementing this technological offering, all GAC models sold in Jamaica will come with an extensive bumper-to-bumper warranty covering seven years or 250,000 kilometers.

Stewart assured customers of comprehensive after-sales support, stating that Fidelity Motors has invested significantly in maintaining a robust parts inventory and employing a team of trained technical professionals to ensure customer confidence and satisfaction.

Jamaica’s spirits industry leader, J Wray & Nephew Limited, has announced the complete resolution of last year’s rum supply shortages while reporting minimal disruption from Hurricane Melissa to domestic Christmas supplies. Senior Commercial Director Cecil Smith Jr. revealed in an exclusive interview that the previous scarcity stemmed from an unforeseen consumption explosion following the COVID-19 pandemic, with all inventory issues rectified since July 2025.

The company, commanding an impressive 85% share of Jamaica’s overproof rum market, attributed the supply challenges to unprecedented demand growth. “Our consumption ballooned exponentially post-COVID,” Smith explained. “If we were selling 10 units before, we’re now selling 12. That sudden explosion in growth is impossible to scale for immediately.” He characterized the shortage as a “good problem” resulting from unexpected market dynamics and firmly denied speculation about diverting white rum stocks for premium aging programs.

Despite Hurricane Melissa’s severe impact on western Jamaica in October, the company reported minimal disruption to festive season supplies. Smith noted the fortunate timing from a production standpoint: “All our 2025 production was already completed. All rum movement from Appleton and New Yarmouth into Kingston for bottling was finished before October.” The primary business impact has been logistical, with port congestion slowing export shipments and delaying raw material imports for 2026 production.

Looking toward 2026, the company has adopted a cautiously optimistic outlook, expecting consumers in affected areas to prioritize rebuilding over discretionary spending. Smith anticipates market normalization by mid-2026, when households regain budgets for “some amount of fun, release and relaxation.” The company has implemented flexible inventory strategies, maintaining raw materials rather than finished products to conserve capital while remaining agile to demand fluctuations.

The interview highlighted the crucial role of Jamaica’s community bars, which account for approximately 70% of alcohol consumption on the island. These establishments, particularly in western parishes, represent about one-third of company sales. Smith described them as the “lifeblood” of the business, with Wray & Nephew investing hundreds of millions of Jamaican dollars annually in support programs that directly reduce operating costs for bar owners.

The company is actively monitoring retailers to prevent price gouging and maintain pre-hurricane pricing, while reporting encouraging signs of recovery with an estimated 70% of trade customers in less-affected western parishes already returning with orders. Beyond the iconic overproof rum, the company’s diverse portfolio includes Appleton Estate aged rums, Campari, Magnum tonic wine, and local brands like Charlie’s JB Overproof, collectively ensuring market dominance.

Manufacturing Director Sanjay Bowla confirmed significantly increased inventory buffers, now holding two to three months of average demand stock. At peak production, the company bottles approximately 15,000 cases of white rum (750ml) and 12,000 cases of the 1-liter format daily, ensuring both Jamaica’s festive traditions and a vital economic sector remain supported during recovery.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Significant volatility is reshaping the economic landscape at Kingston’s iconic Coronation Market this week, with dramatic price fluctuations affecting key agricultural products. The most startling surge has been observed in the Scotch bonnet pepper market, where prices have escalated to an unprecedented $5,000 per pound. This represents a staggering increase of over 50 percent compared to prices recorded just one week prior, placing considerable strain on consumer budgets.

Adding to the inflationary pressure, tomato prices have also climbed sharply. Consumers are now facing an average market rate of $800 per pound, a notable jump from the previous week’s price point of $600 per pound. This consistent upward trend in staple produce is impacting household spending across the city.

However, the market narrative isn’t uniformly negative. In a contrasting trend, sweet pepper prices have experienced a substantial cooldown. Vendors are currently offering the product for as low as $600 per pound, a significant reduction from the $1,000 per pound rate seen a week ago. This price correction offers a respite for consumers and highlights the unpredictable nature of agricultural commodity markets.

For a comprehensive breakdown of all current market prices and expert on-the-ground analysis, viewers are encouraged to watch the latest episode of ‘Market Bag,’ hosted by Brittania Witter, which provides detailed insights into these evolving economic conditions.

In a seismic shift that redefines the global entertainment landscape, streaming giant Netflix has finalized its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in a monumental transaction valued at approximately $82.7 billion. The deal, announced officially on Friday, stands as one of the largest media consolidations in history.

The acquisition grants Netflix an unprecedented content library, merging its own acclaimed originals like the record-breaking ‘Squid Game,’ ‘Stranger Things,’ and ‘Wednesday’ with Warner’s legendary portfolio. This includes the entire DC Universe superhero franchise, the epic ‘Game of Thrones’ series, the beloved sitcom ‘Friends,’ the wizarding world of ‘Harry Potter,’ cinematic masterpieces like ‘Casablanca’ and ‘Citizen Kane,’ along with premium networks HBO and HBO Max.

Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix, framed the merger as a historic unification of storytelling power. ‘Our mission has always been to entertain the world,’ Sarandos stated. ‘By integrating Warner Bros.’ incredible arsenal of timeless classics and modern favorites with our culture-defining titles, we are positioned to fulfill this promise more completely than ever before, shaping the narrative of the next century in entertainment.’

Echoing this sentiment, Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav characterized the agreement as a merger of ‘two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world,’ aimed at delivering top-tier content to a vastly expanded global audience.

The corporation anticipates that this strategic consolidation will yield significant benefits across the board. For consumers, it promises a vastly optimized viewing experience with enhanced content options and broader access. For the industry, it is projected to forge a more robust entertainment ecosystem, generate increased opportunities for creatives and talent, and deliver enhanced value for its shareholders.

The transaction is projected to be finalized following the planned spin-off of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Global Networks division into a new independent publicly-traded entity, a process now slated for completion in the third quarter of 2026.