Things Jamaican Launches Christmas Campaign to Support MSMEs

For many Jamaicans, ‘Home’ has always held a special place in their hearts, and over the years, the term has become a global concept sought after by visitors and the diaspora who yearn to experience the vibrancy of Jamaican culture through its food, fashion, music, literature, aromatherapy and craft.

This Christmas, Things Jamaican, a retail chain operated by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC), is calling everyone ‘home’ through a new campaign that celebrates the island’s creative spirit at a time when the country is rebuilding.

The campaign, titled “5 Reasons to Come ‘Home’ this Christmas”, “was conceptualised long before Hurricane Melissa, but in the aftermath of the storm’s devastation, the message now carries deeper national significance”, noted the Corporation’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Harold Davis.

“As the Government intensifies its rebuilding programme, the JBDC has been charged with focusing its efforts on the recovery of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs),” he notes.

The campaign’s key reasons to “come home” to Things Jamaican this Christmas are that the retail outlet “is the birthplace of many local brands nurtured by the JBDC; the home of more than 500 authentic Jamaican products; a showcase of the island’s unmatched creativity in food, aromatherapy, fashion, gifts and craft; the premier one-stop shop for meaningful, locally made Christmas purchases; and ultimately, a place where the spirit of Jamaica lives on every shelf, offering something special for every holiday moment,” Mr. Davis shares.

Against this background, he says the agency believes that one of the most direct routes to recovery is through buying local, as every Jamaican-made item purchased helps sustain a business, supports a family and strengthens the economy.

Over recent weeks, the JBDC has been working on the ground in MSME recovery activities coordinated by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC).

In a recent message to entrepreneurs, the Acting CEO reminded small business operators of their resilience.

“You are among the most innovative and creative people in the world and while Hurricane Melissa has tested us, it has not broken us,” he said.

As the market access arm of the JBDC, Things Jamaican has long served as a home for creators and artisans, bringing together more than 500 brands under one roof.

The store showcases a wide array of locally made products from handcrafted decor to gourmet sauces, aromatherapy, fashion and specialty gifts, offering consumers a true experience of Jamaica at every turn.

For her part, JBDC’s Marketing Services Unit Manager, Janine Fletcher-Taylor, explains that the idea of coming home to Things Jamaican reflects the store’s tagline, Home of Authentic Jamaican Brands.

“Home is the favourite place to be at Christmas,” she says, noting that “it’s when families gather at a central place and with Things Jamaican being the home of over 500 authentic Jamaican brands, we are also saying, when you come home for Christmas and you are having your meal, your parties and your feasts, exchanging of gifts, and you’re dressing up to go out, remember to support our local brands.”

Since Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28, people have been asking how they can help with restoration and rebuilding.

“One way is to buy local,” Mrs. Fletcher-Taylor suggests, explaining that the concept of ‘Home’ also reflects JBDC’s long-standing role in nurturing Jamaican entrepreneurs.

“Things Jamaican is a beautiful vehicle that JBDC uses, and over the last 20 years we would have given birth to numerous brands. When you talk about home, this is the birthplace of a number of those brands, and we would have seen them evolve,” she tells JIS News.

Within the store chain, more than 500 brands, representing more than 500 companies, showcase what she describes as “the height of Jamaican creativity and innovation”.

This creativity shines across sectors, especially food, a cornerstone of Jamaican Christmas traditions.

The Marketing Services Unit Manager highlights the resourcefulness of locals who have adapted to holiday demand, despite widespread damage to markets and farms.

“We have clients who have taken on several innovations, ensuring that seasonings, spice blends and other pantry essentials are now available pre-packaged. These efforts have been helping Jamaicans maintain beloved traditions, even as the agricultural communities rebuild,” Mrs. Fletcher-Taylor explains.

As the Christmas season approaches, Things Jamaican is positioning itself as the premier one-stop shop for gifts for individuals and corporate clients alike.

“This year, a major focus is supporting artisans whose main markets, particularly in the hotel sector, have been disrupted; so, we are urging Jamaicans to support these craftsmen until those markets are re-established. As for the diaspora, the online store ensures access to authentic Jamaican gifts from anywhere in the world,” she informs.

Through the campaign, the JBDC continues to champion local MSMEs and to position Jamaican talent on shelves at home and abroad.

Things Jamaican operates three retail outlets – Devon House in Kingston, Norman Manley International Airport and its corporate store at 14 Camp Road – alongside its e-commerce platform at https://thingsjamaicanshopping.com/.