分类： business

Stella Global Realty (SGR) is set to bridge the gap between ambition and acquisition for Jamaica’s business community with an exclusive Commercial Investment ‘Sip and See’ event this Saturday. The gathering, tailored for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals, will unfold from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the firm’s Kingston office located at 11-1/2 Connolley Avenue, Kingston 4.

The event’s innovative format is designed to fuse practical property exploration with essential financial literacy. Attendees will be granted a first-look tour of two premium commercial properties exclusively listed by Stella Global Realty, providing a tangible sense of available opportunities.

Moving beyond the showcase, the core of the event lies in its specialized educational workshops. These sessions are dedicated to deconstructing the intricate process of commercial financing. Key topics will include actionable strategies for securing loan approval, with direct advice on the necessary documentation and financial prerequisites. A significant focus will be placed on effective Loan-to-Value (LTV) offsetting strategies, offering businesses crucial tips on securing additional funding to make large-scale commercial purchases more accessible.

Tiffany Gray, Founder and CEO of Stella Global Realty, emphasized the mission: ‘In today’s market, ownership is the ultimate tool for wealth building. Leveraging our international resources and experience across Jamaica and 13 U.S. states, we are uniquely positioned to teach entrepreneurs how to use real estate to build generational wealth.’

Adding considerable weight to the financial discourse, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, alongside other major financial institutions, will lead conversations. This provides attendees with direct expert insight into the current lending landscape and a rare opportunity to network with key decision-makers capable of financing their next acquisition.

The overarching aim is to empower the local business community by providing the knowledge and resources necessary to transition from leasing to powerfully owning commercial real estate. Attendance is limited and requires registration via the official Eventbrite page.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new retail establishment has emerged in the Corporate Area, transforming the local shopping scene for home décor, fashion, and specialty gifts. My Maison, a lifestyle boutique founded by the entrepreneurial in-law duo Alexa Bicknell and Krista Bicknell, represents the culmination of a shared vision between the two partners.

Strategically positioned at Shop #8 within McMaster Plaza, the boutique presents an extensive array of meticulously selected merchandise. The inventory spans children’s items and toys to contemporary clothing lines, beauty essentials, and an assortment of distinctive gifts. The founders have placed significant emphasis on curating products that meet specific quality and aesthetic standards, distinguishing their offering in the local market.

In a detailed commentary on their product philosophy, the founders highlighted their commitment to creating a retail environment that harmonizes style with substance. Krista Bicknell provided specific insight into their beauty selections, noting, ‘These formulations are ideal for individuals with highly sensitive skin, as they prevent irritation. Specifically engineered for Jamaica’s tropical climate, the products deliver a soft, gentle sensation without any residual heaviness.’

Early market reception has been markedly positive. An eager customer shared, ‘The arrival of such a store has been long anticipated. Its charm is undeniable, and the product range is comprehensively appealing.’

The founding partners conveyed profound enthusiasm regarding their launch and issued a warm invitation to the community: ‘We are thrilled to open our doors and invite everyone to experience My Maison firsthand.’

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to widespread service disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on telecommunications infrastructure, provider Flow Jamaica has unveiled comprehensive relief measures including automatic rebates for over 230,000 fixed-line customers affected by extended outages.

The hurricane particularly devastated western Jamaica regions, where communication infrastructure suffered severe damage resulting in prolonged service interruptions. The company’s rebate program forms part of a multi-tiered customer support strategy implemented throughout the hurricane crisis.

Preemptive measures taken before Melissa’s arrival included providing all mobile customers with complimentary 1GB data packages and guaranteeing no service disconnections regardless of outstanding balances, ensuring Jamaicans could maintain vital communications during the emergency.

Following the hurricane’s passage, Flow deployed emergency response teams to severely affected communities, distributing free SIM cards, mobile devices, and data plans to facilitate reconnection during recovery operations.

Nyree Coke, Flow’s Customer Experience Director, emphasized the company’s customer-centric approach: “Our communities have endured tremendous hardship, and we recognize communication’s critical role in crisis situations. These rebates demonstrate our steadfast commitment to supporting customers through recovery. We maintain our focus on compassionate service, transparent communication, and sustained support during island-wide restoration.”

The automated rebate system will credit affected fixed-line customers from October 29th until their service restoration date, with continuing monthly credits until full service resumes. Customers will receive electronic notifications via email and SMS for each credit application.

Billing implementation will see November credits reflected on December statements, with subsequent rebates for November 21-December 8 and December 9-23 periods appearing on January 2026 bills. Flow advises customers with active services to maintain regular payment schedules to ensure seamless credit applications and avoid disconnections related to pre-November arrears.

The company confirmed technical teams are collaborating with national emergency services and utility partners to accelerate restoration, deploying technicians immediately as commercial power returns to affected areas.

Customers requiring additional support can contact Flow’s customer experience team through email at customerfirst@cwc.com or WhatsApp 876-620-2200.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant modernization initiative, KFC Jamaica has introduced self-service ordering kiosks across its restaurant network, marking a transformative shift in customer dining experiences. The quick-service giant unveiled this technological advancement at its Springs Plaza location in Half-Way-Tree on Wednesday, with plans to implement the system throughout all 43 Jamaican outlets in phased rollouts over subsequent weeks.

The touchscreen terminals represent a strategic investment in operational efficiency, enabling patrons to comprehensively browse menu options, customize meals according to personal preferences, and complete transactions without engaging with traditional counter service. This innovation, initially announced during KFC’s 50th-anniversary celebrations in early 2025, aims to accelerate service delivery while providing consumers greater autonomy in their brand interactions.

Payment flexibility remains central to the new system—customers may opt for direct card transactions at the kiosk interface or proceed to designated cashiers for traditional payment processing after order placement. This dual-path approach maintains accessibility for all payment preferences while streamlining the overall ordering workflow.

To facilitate customer adaptation, KFC Jamaica has deployed specialized brand ambassadors who provide hands-on guidance for first-time users and address technical inquiries during the transition period. This support mechanism ensures seamless integration of the new technology into existing service frameworks.

The self-service kiosks complement rather than replace the established remote ordering channels, including WhatsApp communications (876-333-2KFC), the official kfcjamaica.com digital platform, and the proprietary mobile application. This multi-channel strategy reinforces KFC’s commitment to technological inclusivity and customer convenience across all touchpoints.

Industry analysts view this development as part of a broader trend toward restaurant automation, where major chains leverage digital solutions to enhance service quality, reduce operational bottlenecks, and create more engaging consumer experiences through technological empowerment.

In a significant move to accelerate economic recovery, the Jamaican government has unveiled a comprehensive package of business fee reductions for seven parishes severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Industry Minister Aubyn Hill announced the measures in the Senate on Friday, targeting both immediate relief and longer-term business revitalization.

The centerpiece of the initiative involves a 50% reduction in incorporation fees for charities specifically established to support hurricane recovery efforts. This special rate will be available during a four-month window from December 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, recognizing the crucial role community organizations play in disaster response.

Additionally, the Companies Office of Jamaica will extend its late fee waiver program for existing businesses in affected areas, now covering the period from October 27, 2025, to October 31, 2026. The agency will also reduce costs for essential documentation services, including letters of good standing and certified copies, which many businesses need to verify their operational status after losing critical paperwork in the storm.

To improve accessibility, the office will deploy mobile pop-up services across affected parishes between December 2025 and March 2026, bringing essential business services directly to communities still grappling with transportation challenges.

The announcement came as part of a broader update on post-hurricane recovery efforts that have already involved assessments of 1,293 businesses despite significant infrastructure obstacles. Minister Hill acknowledged the difficulties faced by assessment teams, including blocked roads and communication breakdowns in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

While opposition spokesperson Kisha Anderson welcomed the measures, she called for more extensive support, particularly for micro-enterprises that form the backbone of local economies. Anderson argued that many small operators—from hairdressers to craft vendors—typically maintain less than two weeks of cash reserves and may require complete fee waivers rather than reductions to survive. She advocated for establishing a national task force incorporating government, opposition, private sector, and civil society representatives to develop a more structured recovery plan.