KINGSTON, Jamaica – In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s widespread devastation, the Unicomer Group has stepped forward with a J$75 million pledge to support national and grassroots recovery efforts, while also directly assisting its own employees affected by the disaster.
The retail conglomerate, best known locally for its Courts stores, confirmed that the financial assistance will be distributed between government-led reconstruction programmes, community rebuilding initiatives, and internal aid for team members who suffered personal loss.
Ann-Marie Walters, Managing Director of Unicomer Jamaica, framed the support as more than corporate responsibility — describing it as a duty to a country that has shaped the company’s history and identity for over 60 years.
“We view this not only as our workplace, but as our shared home,” Walters said. “When disaster strikes, we don’t ask if we should help — we ask how fast we can mobilize.”
She emphasized that the company has already begun coordinating with key agencies and humanitarian groups to ensure swift distribution of funds and supplies to the most vulnerable communities.
Feliz Siman, Vice President and Caribbean Managing Director for Unicomer Group, echoed this sentiment from a regional standpoint.
“Our strength lies in unity,” Siman noted. “For us, Jamaica is family. And in times like these, family stands tall together.”
Unicomer Group, headquartered in El Salvador, operates across 20 countries in the Americas and the Caribbean. With a portfolio spanning over two dozen brands — including Radio Shack, Ashley Furniture, Lucky Dollar, Courts Optical, and Ready Cash — the group employs more than 13,000 people globally.
Their swift and sizeable commitment to Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery has drawn praise across sectors, with many viewing the move as a signal to other corporate entities to engage more deeply in national resilience.
As rebuilding begins in earnest, Unicomer’s contribution underscores the growing expectation that private sector players are not just observers, but critical participants in the country’s recovery arc.
