Loshusans developing four Progressive Foods supermarkets
Published:Wednesday | December 4, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Avia Collinder, Business Reporter
A commercial complex being developed by the Loshusan family in Portmore will be executed in two phases in Braeton, Portmore.
Gladstone Loshusan says that finishing touches are under way on a supermarket, which will open for business under the Progressive Foods brand in the new year.
He confirmed to Wednesday Business that the Portmore story is one of four Progressive Foods under development - all to open for business by April 2014.
Other locations are in Ocho Rios, St Ann; Fairview at Bogue, Montego Bay; and May Pen, Clarendon.
The Progressive Foods brand is owned by the Progressive Grocers of Jamaica Limited, a consortium in which the Loshusans have membership, and for which Gladstone is a director. The members of the consortium have some investments in common, but also operate their own individual chains.
The group in total comprises more than 30 stores, including the affiliated chains.
PHASED DEVELOPMENT
The second phase of the deve-lopment - commercial shops, which will be placed on the market for rental - is soon to get under way. The complex adjoins the supermarket development.
Progressive will join rivals Empire Supermarket and Hi-Lo Food Stores as grocery establishments serving the dormitory Portmore community.
The Loshusans are known mainly as grocery retailers, but they also develop commercial space. Mr Loshusan said that the supermarket at Portmore will be "tenanted" by Progressive Foods.
The Portmore development is a project of Vincent Loshusan & Sons Limited, the same entity that owns Sovereign Centre in Liguanea, Kingston. The property is identified as Lot 5 and Lot 6 Cookson Pen, Braeton Parkway, St Catherine, by the planning agency.
Counted as a group, the Progressive consortium is said to hold the majority of the grocery market, followed by Hi-Lo Food Stores, which is owned by the GraceKennedy group.
Gladstone Loshusan said he hasn't yet begun marketing space in the commercial complex. The new supermar-ket, he said, will employ approximately 100 people, but declined comment on the size of the investment.
The project is being overseen by architect Clifton Yap.