Supply-chain issues push back opening date for Fontana Portmore Loop Jamaica

Black Immigrant Daily News

Supply-chain issues have slowed the construction of the Portmore branch of Fontana according to its CEO, Anne Chang.

When Fontana announced in June last year that it was moving into St Catherine, it projected an opening date for its seventh store at end of 2022 to early 2023.

However, supply chain issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have upended that schedule.

“The (new) projected opening date is summer 2023 due mainly to builder delays,” Chang said when contacted by Loop News. She later clarified that the “builder issues” were related to supply-chain problems. Chang emphasised that the delays had nothing to do with Fontana as “we are on track from our end”.

“As you know, many of the effects (delays caused by supply chain problems) are being felt now but I would like to stress this is from the builders’ side, not ours,” said Chang.

She pointed out that “timelines are long, even for things ordered well in advance and allowing for longer lead times”.

“But we are 100 per cent on track and are opening next summer”.

As to what the Portmore branch will offer, Chang said “You can expect a first-world experience with a look and feel similar to Waterloo (the pharmacy chain’s flagship store) but with a few surprises”.

The new store will be located at Braeton Parkway and Municipal Drive beside PriceSmart, which opened its Portmore branch in April.

Fontana previously announced that the new pharmacy will cost in excess of $100 million and will employ more than 80 people.

It will include a state-of-the-art pharmacy, a one-stop beauty hub, a baby and children’s selection, an extensive home d?cor collection, a business centre, courier services and over 200 parking spaces.

The new store will also have an entire department dedicated to Jamaican Artisan products, similar to the Waterloo Square location in St Andrew.

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