KINGSTON, Jamaica—Montego Bay-based food retail group, Afresh Marketplace Limited, known for its modern grocery experience, is set to take over the operations of S Foods Supermarket at its Worthington Avenue location in Kingston.

The transition will officially take effect on August 7, following a lease agreement between the two companies.

According to a release from S Foods, the move marks a significant step for Afresh Marketplace as it continues its strategic expansion beyond western Jamaica.

The company operates the popular Harbour City Mall store in Montego Bay and is lauded for its blend of quality offerings, exceptional service, and community-driven values.

S Foods was launched three years ago as a creative solution to the downturn in business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had significantly disrupted the operations of the conference centre that originally occupied the Worthington Avenue space.

“S Foods began as a way to utilise our conference facility, which had been crippled by the pandemic. It quickly grew into a neighbourhood favourite, especially known for our deli meals and friendly service,” said Christopher Issa, owner of S Foods.

“We were even exploring expansion into Montego Bay when we were approached by Afresh Marketplace. Their Harbour City Mall store impressed us, and we are confident in their ability to serve the Kingston community while we shift our focus to our hotels and other ventures,” Issa added.

Issa also shared that the long-term vision for the Worthington Avenue property includes the development of a 50-storey mixed-use tower featuring a hotel and residential apartments.

Commenting on the agreement, Zhiqiang Lu, managing director of Afresh Marketplace, expressed gratitude and outlined the company’s ambitions for its Kingston debut.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to expand into Kingston through the upcoming transition of operations at the current S Foods Supermarket location. This move is a strategic step in our long-term growth plan to bring the Afresh Marketplace experience—built on quality, service, and community—to more Jamaicans,” Lu said.

“This is not only a key milestone for our brand, but a meaningful opportunity to engage more deeply with the Kingston community. We have great respect for what Mr Issa and his team have accomplished, especially in establishing the ‘Shop. Save. Smile.’ philosophy as a trusted and heartfelt part of the customer experience. We are committed to building on that legacy—enhancing the experience while preserving the values that the community has come to trust,” he added.

Meanwhile, Afresh Marketplace reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-quality products at great value, enhancing convenience and enjoyment in the shopping experience, and maintaining a community-first, service-focused approach.

“We thank the S Foods team and its loyal customers for their continued support, and we look forward to beginning this new chapter together in Kingston,” Lu said.