With the distinction of opening Jamaica's first supermarket - Hi-Lo Crossroads - in 1954, the GraceKennedy Group of Companies continues its innovation in retail operations under the direction of chief operating officer of its Retail and Trading Division, John Mahfood.

Recent renovations of several Hi-Lo Food Stores (Manor Park and Ocho Rios) led to the inspired creation of a unique shopping experience in the quaint seaside community of Port Maria, St Mary.

Photos show the general layout and decor of different sections of the Hi-Lo supermarket in Port Maria, St Mary.

When a family-owned grocery business decided to leave the retail trade they contacted GraceKennedy about purchasing the business, which included a 25,000 square foot new building. The huge dimensions of the space allowed for a supermarket plus other amenities. Mahfood came up with a farmers' market concept to suit the country village feel of the community.

Since the supermarket didn't require the entire floor space, he conceived setting up an arcade-type perimeter which would accommodate rental clients who could provide specialised services for customers such as cellular phone services, home and clothing, etc.

All seven spaces have already been taken, among them a Digicel franchise and a women and children's store named Butterflies. The convenience of a one-stop shop has certainly manifested. A mezzanine area will eventually become a food court.

Photos show the general layout and decor of different sections of the Hi-Lo supermarket in Port Maria, St Mary.

Architectural interior designer Jianne Robertson was brought on board to organise and decorate what was essentially a shell. Her company also did the construction for what was her first supermarket design gig. With Mahfood's stall idea she actually broadened the concept into self-enclosed shops and took the market concept as the motif for her décor, stressing that "With any project you want to build character".

Although the Port Maria Hi-Lo has all the state-of-the-art equipment a supermarket needs (the total price tag is approximately $80 million - not including the building, real estate and stock), the megastore's décor is as warm and charming as its surrounding community.

Fresh produce rest under thatch coverings where displays are faced with board fronts. Chalkboards offer a unique and practical type of signage for pricing. These distinctive vegetable and fruit displays saved the importation of expensive refrigerated versions. The freezer section has the
lumber skirting with crate-like shelving overhead that displays quaint, vintage grocery ads, and colourful, galvanised watering cans.

More thatch and lumber have been used at the customer service desk and even the baggage check. Over the entrance and exit doors a stamp effect (similar to the tin ceilings used in old farm houses) has been used over a bright tangerine orange.

Robertson got the exact colour she wanted by scanning her son's toy boat at Rapid True Value's paint centre. Huge blow-ups of classic adverts enhance this space.

The colour palate is fresh and invigorating, with other walls in New Orleans Green. An aged look dominates with the use of creamy tan-tinted trowel-on texture.

Other faux additions are walls with murals of shop exteriors and many images of persons looking out second-storey windows. The exterior facades are enhanced with actual striped awnings, shutters and wrought iron grille work. An old stove and clock also are special details chosen to reflect the design theme.

Even the check-outs have rustic appeal. Instead of the standard prefab imported cashier set-ups, they, too, have been constructed of lumber and are just as functional.

Of course, the cashiers and other staff offer pleasant, personable interaction not always offered at supermarkets, as customer service training is important to the company.

The meat shop is it's own little area and features one of the other finishes Robertson thoughtfully sourced locally as she wanted the market to have a European and Old Jamaican feel.

Throughout the store, she's injected red, brick walls, sourced from downtown Kingston. Slated, wooden crates make an interesting display for wines and liquors. In a different configuration they are used for candy and other impulse goodies at point of purchase.

Keeping with traditional shopping practices in Port Maria, part of the building serves as a wholesale. Chicken wire creates the typical "cage", while chain link fence houses the wholesale goods.
Other innovations are less aesthetic but most efficient.

A US$2-million computer system allows deliveries to be immediately added to inventory in the loading bay. A 1,000 KVA generator allows the store to operate independently of the power company if necessary. The facility has its own sewage treatment system as well since there is none in the town.

The operation really is its own complete village within Port Maria.
Says Mahfood: "It's so innovative and so different, it's going to raise the standard of shopping experience in Port Maria."

There are plans to give similar facelifts to other stores in the grocery chain.
Responses to this innovation with the traditional touch have been overwhelming, with locals excited to shop in the spacious settings.

With grocery shopping being a once-weekly chore we can't escape. Therefore it's a pleasure to have an inviting, friendly and attractive environment in which to make one's purchases.

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS

Pepper Pot