Jamaica retailers unite for Montego Bay development

Gavin Lipsith

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Six of the island's most prominent duty-free retailers are to work on a new 31-store complex to cater for Jamaica's growing cruiseship traffic

Six of Jamaica's largest duty-free retailers are to join forces to create a new five-acre (217,800sq ft/20,242sqm) shopping complex in Montego Bay, according to the Jamaica Observer. Construction of Shoppes of Rose Hall?which will boast 31 outlets and a 12,000sq ft (1,115sq m) restaurant area?is due to start next month and investors anticipate it will be open in time for the 2005/6 winter season.

The investment group is chaired by Indru Dadlani, operator of Casa De Oro jewellery store. The other investors are K Chandiram (operator of Bijoux Jewellers), Daswani Jamaica (The Royal Shop), Samtani Jamaica (Tropicana Jewellers), HK Mahtani and Sons (Priesta Shops) and Khiatani Group (Tajmahal).

Many retailers on the island believe that the old duty-free shopping complex in downtown Montego Bay, constructed more than 20 years ago, is outdated and a source of congestion when cruisehsips arrive at the island. Investors are discussing plans with Rollins Group?a large landowner in the Rose Hall area?and the state-run Urban Development Corporation, from which the land for the new complex was acquired.

Prime minister Patterson has pledged full support for the project, saying that state agencies would do whatever possible to ensure it was completed on time and within budget. The Jamaica Observer reported that duty-free sales account for about $127m annually, with the total tourist industry contributing $1.3bn to the island's economy each year.