The Jamaica Observer Takes Style Out (TSO) launched its yearly retail rouser with cocktails and cake at Ammar’s on Monday, October 23, marking the start of this year’s bargain rush before the holiday season. This is year 14 for TSO, which started as Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) and Ammar’s has been a key collaborator since October 2009.

The launch coincided with Ammar’s own 62nd anniversary sale, which continues until November 4. Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor – Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte, the guiding hand behind the annual shopping event, gave guests insight on the relationship with the Jamaica Observer, TSO and Ammar’s.

McDonald-Whyte invited the room to think back to the first FNO. The common theme from everyone’s memory was the excitement, the fun and the traffic gridlock. For TSO 2023, McDonald-Whyte invited shoppers to revisit the thrill of going from store to store with friends and family on a high-octane shopping spree.

Ammar’s director Michael Ammar, in his address, recalled the phone call from McDonald-Whyte that started it all and how, after the success of the first staging, he was the one calling about year two. Now, 13 years later, Ammar expressed how TSO is still one of the store’s most anticipated events.

“It’s a great boost for retailing at this time of year because October is one of the slowest months for the year, and it really helps us to move some merchandise. Also, the discounts are deep,” Ammar said, inviting patrons to take advantage of the significant markdowns, which are a staple of the TSO brand.

For McDonald-Whyte, the deep discounts are a necessary part of the deal for the kind of economic boost she hopes the local market will experience. For Ammar, it’s not just the shopping but, also, the opportunity for people to get excited about patronising their favourite brick-and-mortar stores.

“Everybody shops online, including me. But there’s no better experience than coming into a store and getting good service and good value. You can touch the item, you can try it, and if you don’t like it, you can bring it back and get your money back cash-in-hand,” Ammar said.

Jerome Jarrett of National Commercial Bank, and Annette Atkinson of Guardian General gave the sponsor’s remarks.

Jarrett had good news for NCB cardholders who are getting in shape for some robust holiday shopping for TSO 2023.

“We’re excited about our partnership with Visa, where customers can use their Visa cards to be entered for two main prizes valued at $500,000 each. You have the chance to win a gift certificate to style your home, or a weekend getaway at a premium Jamaican hotel,” Jarrett told the Jamaica Observer.

According to Jarrett, the more NCB cardholders swipe, tap, or use NCB’s new app to make purchases during TSO 2023, the more chances they will have until entries close on October 29. Jarrett also highlighted NCB’s FlexiPay feature, which allows customers to break up payments of $50,000 or more into interest-free payments over three months. As Jarrett put it, patrons won’t miss a deal this TSO with NCB.

Guardian General’s Atkinson said, “We’re coming on-board for Take Style Out for the first time this year, and we’re extremely excited. We have some special offers for our clients where, from the week of Take Style Out to June 2024, they can get a 10 per cent discount.”

Atkinson also disclosed that Guardian General would host an artisan village on Friday during TSO. The Guardian General executive said all are welcome at the Dominica Drive office to shop a range of products from local artisans.

Along with the masterful mixing of DJ Mario of FYAH105 and DJ Lizzerz of EDGE105, entertainment also came in the form of a stellar runway performance from Island Child Style. The troupe of models, ranging from tots to teens, and trained by Norma Williams, Brandon Ferguson and Michelle Gordon, delighted the room with a showcase of the range of styles Ammar’s has on its racks.

TSO 2023 is powered by NCB, Multilink, Guardian Group, Island Car Rentals, EDGE105 and FYAH105. TSO 2023 officially runs from October 26-28.

Editor’s Note: Cyber Sale Day https://www. jamaicaobserver.com/takesstyleout takes place on Wednesday, October 25.