2 months ago
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Progressive Grocers of Jamaica has applied to build two commercial centres in Kingston and St James, according to the latest government filings.
The group applied for and received two separate environmental planning approvals for the “construction and operation of an office and commercial complex”, according to proposals to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA).
The locations are Catherine Hall Estate in West Gate, St James; and Harbour View, Kingston. Each complex will span over “5,000 square metres”, according to the documents. This equates to roughly the size of a football field.
The company received environmental planning approvals for the developments in July after filing its application in May.
The Financial Gleaner understands that two complexes are under construction in the area within close proximity to two older Shoppers Fair supermarkets. The precise address was not revealed in the NEPA documents.
The Financial Gleaner has tried for three weeks, unsuccessfully, to contact the Progressive group for clarity on whether the filings are for expansion activities or a greenfield complex.
Progressive Grocers of Jamaica Limited are a grouping of supermarkets that buy in bulk.
According to its website, the Progressive group services 21 supermarkets with five locations in St Catherine; four in Kingston and St James; two in Clarendon, Manchester and Westmoreland; and one in St Ann and St Elizabeth.
Progressive Grocers was founded in 1999 by Sing Chin, Gladstone Loshusan, Ken Loshusan, and Albert ‘Docky’ Lym. Over the years, it has expanded into one of the largest supermarket chains in Jamaica.
It operates under various brands, including Shoppers Fair, Super Shoppers Fair, Progressive Foods, JR’s Bargain World Food Stores, and D&Y Supermarket Wholesale.
It is also affiliated with seven other supermarkets, including Sovereign, John R. Wong, and Loshusan. These affiliates bring the total to some 28 supermarkets across Jamaica, which collectively employ approximately 1,800 persons.
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