KINGSTON, Jamaica — With just a few hours to go before the start of the annual Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out (TSO) five-hour discount shopping spree Thursday, participating stores and companies are making final preparations.

TSO kicks off at 5:00 in the afternoon and will run until 10:00. Thousands of shoppers across the island are expected to flock participating stores, spas and auto houses to get the best deals.

The event is the biggest since its inception four years ago with this year seeing a marked increase in participating businesses. TSO is the only shopping event to rival and outperform Christmas Eve spending, and is a major boost to the economy.

Great deals can be expected at participating businesses in Port Antonio, Portland; Kingston and St Andrew; Portmore and Spanish Town, St Catherine; May Pen, in Clarendon; Mandeville, Manchester; Santa Cruz, Junction and Black River, St Elizabeth; Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland;  Montego Bay, St James;  Brown’s Town, St Ann’s Bay and Ocho Rios in St Ann.

The event’s main sponsors are the National Commercial Bank, Digicel, Samsung, Island Car Rentals, the Jamaica Yellow Pages, and JPS eStore.