Courts Main Street was last evening officially rebranded as Guyana’s first Courts Mega Store following upgrades costing more than $120 million, according to the Unicomer Group.
Sub-Regional Managing Director of the Unicomer Group Vincent Gordon, at the opening ceremony, said that the investment is just the start of a series of projects to be undertaken in Guyana. He said that the Unicomer Group looks forward to doing business here and with the launching of the Mega Store it means shopping in more comfort for Guyanese.
Explaining some of the factors that make the location a Mega Store, Gordon said that there is an enhanced layout of the store which is aimed at “encouraging deliberate and impulsive shopping.” He said that there is increased space within the store so that the company can provide more products for Guyanese to access.
“Guyana is open for business and it is also open for retail shopping. Because in Guyana there is now Courts Mega Store and what is now, in my opinion, one of the top five Courts stores in the Caribbean,” he lamented.
He added that the intention of the brand has always been and continues to be the provision of world-class service and customer satisfaction. In that regard, he said that there are other projects the company is simultaneously undertaking.
Unicomer recently completed upgrades to its Lucky Dollar store on Regent Street and is hoping to finish upgrades to its Courts Mahaica branch to better serve the community. They are also upgrading the New Amsterdam location.
“…just two weeks ago, we hosted an executive visit, which included a couple of vice presidents in our corporate office to finalize major investment plans in Guyana. And in two weeks, exactly two weeks from today, we will be hosting a formal press conference where we will also be announcing major plans within Guyana…Guyana is open for business and Unicomer is ready to play,” Gordon related.
He said that the Mega Store project was undertaken through a collaborative effort with Unicomer Jamaica, Trinidad, OECS and USA.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond said that the launch of Courts Mega Store is keeping within the optimistic outlook for the new and improved Guyana. She added that it aligns with the government’s trajectory of growth and its vision for a better life for all Guyanese.
“Developments like these reinforce the point that it is no longer business as usual and there is no room for mediocrity… This investment suggests that you are confident in the economy and in the administration of our country. Guyana’s economy continues to do exceptionally well but even more growth is projected in the years to come [and] I’m therefore happy to assure you that not only is this investment timely but it’s also welcomed,” Walrond said.
She added that since its entrance into the Guyanese market in the early 1990s, the Unicomer Group has been revitalizing the hire purchase economy by offering affordable instalments on a broad range of products.
“Since then, you have remained true to this vision and the model as more Guyanese see you as a preferred brand for a wide choice of home appliances, furniture (and) now expanded range of products. We are happy to know that your operations exist in a healthy, competitive environment where there are other providers.
“In this regard, I note in passing our first hire purchase bill in the National Assembly to which we seek to streamline operations in this important area. Unicomer was also one of the companies who specifically contributed significantly to that bill,” the Minister said.
She assured that the Group’s recommendations have been taken on board by the government and addressed in the bill currently before the National Assembly.
Walrond also lauded the company for the creation of jobs.
“Against this backdrop, I want to challenge the company to further expand to the outlying regions. The vision of this government is that we all should be able to share in the wealth and experiences of the country, regardless of which region we live it so it would be great to see a Courts established in many regions in Guyana as possible,” she challenged.
