分类： business

In an exclusive feature with Tuesday Style Fashion, Soho Boutique principal Michele Coulton reveals the strategic philosophy behind her retail enterprise’s remarkable 35-year longevity in Jamaica’s competitive fashion landscape.

Coulton’s journey into fashion entrepreneurship emerged from both heritage and necessity. With a mother who sewed professionally and sisters educated at New York’s French Fashion Academy, she leveraged her innate sense of style after diverse career experiences in nursing and aviation. This foundation enabled her to establish two strategically located stores in Kingston and Montego Bay.

The boutique’s enduring success rests upon three fundamental pillars: meticulously curated merchandise termed ‘gentle luxury,’ exceptional customer service, and genuine passion for client satisfaction. Coulton emphasizes that quality garments with attention to detail and affordability form the core of Soho’s DNA, while her highly trained stylists—including Crystal Porter-Jackson (14-year veteran) and Dionne Sadler (19-year veteran)—provide personalized attention without intrusion.

In adapting to modern retail challenges, Soho Boutique has implemented strategic digital engagement while maintaining its physical storefront presence. The brand has expanded its global sourcing to include previously untapped markets like Greece and broadened its demographic reach to include younger clients. Coulton notes that relevance stems from making customers feel ‘seen and appreciated’ beyond mere transactions.

Looking toward 2026, Soho will continue prioritizing timeless, statement-making pieces over trend-driven collections. The boutique’s philosophy champions investment in quality pieces that endure beyond seasonal cycles, with Coulton noting that clients frequently report wearing Soho purchases ‘many moons later.’

Current style recommendations include bold statement jewelry that transforms basic outfits, versatile white button-down shirts, denim pieces with unusual details, and scarves experiencing a resurgence as multifunctional accessories. Coulton concludes that effective styling ultimately presents ‘the best version of yourself to the world.’

Soho Boutique operates at Lee Gore Business Centre, Unit 16, 31 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston 10, with opening hours Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican government has announced significant reforms to Regulation 47 of the Insurance Regulation, aiming to liberalize investment options for life insurance companies and stimulate growth in the corporate debt market.

Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams unveiled the policy shift during her opening address at the 2026/27 Budget Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday. The current regulatory framework imposes restrictive conditions that effectively limit insurers to investing exclusively in publicly-listed, rated, and collateralized securities.

Minister Williams criticized the existing interpretation as overly prescriptive, noting that it forces insurers to meet multiple conditions simultaneously. This approach has inadvertently excluded numerous creditworthy domestic issuers from accessing insurance capital, thereby constraining investment returns and hindering the development of Jamaica’s corporate debt ecosystem.

The revised regulation introduces a more flexible dual-criteria framework. Insurers will now be permitted to invest in corporate debt instruments if they meet either of two objective standards: the instruments must be secured by adequate collateral and bear fixed interest, or they must be issued, secured, or guaranteed by a solvent company deemed investment-grade by a recognized rating agency.

Williams emphasized that these changes maintain essential investor protections while substantially expanding the universe of eligible investments. The reform is expected to create a robust new source of long-term local financing that can support corporate expansion, working capital needs, and project finance initiatives.

Particularly beneficial for mid-sized companies and infrastructure projects that face limited access to long-term bank credit, the new framework offers an alternative funding channel with potential for longer maturities and more competitive pricing. The minister projected that the policy adjustment would foster a deeper, more dynamic domestic corporate debt market while preserving appropriate safeguards for institutional investors.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica — Montego Bay’s commercial sector is preparing for significant economic repercussions following the announcement that the iconic Reggae Sumfest festival will temporarily relocate to St Ann for its 2026 edition. Event producer Downsound Entertainment (DSE) revealed that next year’s festival will be condensed into a single-night event at Plantation Cove on July 18, featuring performances by Vybz Kartel and Movado—a dramatic reduction from the traditional week-long schedule that has consistently driven tourism revenue in Jamaica’s western region.

The relocation decision stems from hurricane-related damage at the festival’s customary Catherine Hall venue, which remains insufficiently prepared following October’s Hurricane Melissa. DSE officials characterized the move as a ‘powerful evolution’ rather than a cancellation, opting for a temporary venue while maintaining the festival brand.

Local business leaders expressed deep concern about the economic implications. Kerry Ann Quallo-Casserly, Chair of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association’s Montego Bay Chapter, confirmed that numerous businesses had already incorporated Sumfest-related revenue into their annual projections. ‘The projected jobs and revenue expected in Montego Bay will be significantly affected,’ Quallo-Casserly stated, noting that the city must now develop strategies to mitigate the anticipated financial shortfall within the next three months.

Despite the temporary relocation, tourism stakeholders remain optimistic about Sumfest’s eventual return. The JHTA chapter is actively engaged in discussions to ensure Montego Bay’s readiness for the festival’s 2027 return, recognizing the event’s status as an ‘economic powerhouse’ for the region.

Meanwhile, local businesses are adapting to the changed circumstances. Jason Russell, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and operator of Pier One waterfront venue, indicated that some subsidiary events might still occur in Montego Bay. Russell expressed understanding of the logistical challenges facing organizers, acknowledging that the relocation decision likely followed thorough deliberation.

As compensation for the scaled-back Sumfest, Montego Bay will host the Dream Wkndz festival from July 30 to August 3—marking the first time this established Negril-based event will be held in Montego Bay. Organizers have confirmed multiple venue preparations and adequate hotel capacity to accommodate attendees, potentially softening the economic blow from Sumfest’s temporary absence.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – In a significant move to bolster regional food security and economic integration, Caribbean nations have launched a comprehensive initiative to establish unified sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards for agricultural trade. The program, spearheaded by the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), convened its inaugural meeting to develop harmonized regulations for priority commodities.

Funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the project ‘Strengthening the Framework for Intra-Regional Trade in Agriculture Products,’ this initiative addresses longstanding regulatory fragmentation that has hindered cross-border agricultural commerce. The project’s initial phase will focus on creating ten standardized SPS protocols for selected farm products, building upon existing guidelines adopted by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED–Agriculture).

CAB International (CABI) has been appointed to implement the consultancy assignment, collaborating closely with CAHFSA, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), and a Regional Technical Advisory Committee comprising plant health, veterinary services, and food safety experts from across the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Dr. Gavin Peters, CAHFSA Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of harmonized standards: ‘This represents a pivotal advancement in fortifying the foundation for intra-regional agricultural trade. By aligning technical requirements across nations, we can eliminate exporter uncertainty, enhance market accessibility, and elevate the safety and quality of agricultural products circulating within the Caribbean.’

The initiative directly supports the Caricom Food Security Agenda and the ambitious ’25 by 2025 + 5′ initiative, which aims to slash the region’s massive food import bill by boosting regional production and trade. Currently, divergent national SPS measures create substantial obstacles for exporters moving agricultural goods between Caribbean countries. The new common standards are expected to provide unambiguous guidance for producers, regulators, and traders while facilitating safer cross-border commodity movement.

Malcolm Wallace, CDB Operations Officer, stated: ‘Reinforcing regional SPS frameworks is essential to unleashing the complete potential of agricultural trade within the Caribbean. This project will establish a more predictable and transparent regulatory environment, enabling Caribbean producers and traders to compete more effectively while safeguarding plant, animal, and human health.’

The consultancy will involve extensive consultations with national SPS authorities, technical experts, and private sector stakeholders across the region. Draft standards will undergo rigorous review and validation through regional consultations before submission to COTED-Agriculture for formal consideration.

Dr. Benoit Gnonlonfin, technical lead for the CABI consultancy team, noted: ‘Developing practical, science-based SPS standards demands robust collaboration with national authorities and regional partners. Our team is committed to working closely with member states to ensure the resulting standards are technically sound, implementable, and conducive to regional trade expansion.’

The project’s scope includes collaboration with CRFM, acknowledging the critical importance of fisheries products within the regional agri-food system. Beyond standard development, the broader initiative will support capacity-building for national SPS systems and create knowledge products to strengthen human capital across regional agri-food value chains.

This comprehensive effort is anticipated to foster a more integrated and resilient Caribbean agricultural sector by enhancing regulatory clarity, streamlining trade procedures, and strengthening the region’s collective capacity to manage agricultural health and food safety risks.