Everything Fresh finds profit with hotel openings

Food distributor Everything Fresh Limited plans to widen its reach into retail markets in Jamaica and The Bahamas, even as the recovery of Jamaica’s tourism sector lifts its growth outlook.

Managing director Gregory Pullen said the company, which supplies food mainly to hotels, has also turned to supermarkets and smaller establishments, where it earns better margins.

“We are definitely seeing a rebound, especially since a number of hotels have opened recently, and more are expected to open by next month. We see that growth continuing steadily,” Pullen told the Financial Gleaner on Wednesday. “The reason why we focus on the other areas (outside of the hotel sector) is to increase revenue and to increase margins. When you push the product closer to the end user, you make more money than if you sell to hotels and wholesalers.”

Pullen declined, however, to comment on expected revenue for the year, saying the operating environment could change unexpectedly.

Chief financial officer Errol Grant confirmed the company would focus on higher-margin products.

“Where margins are concerned, we are not going to embark on any new product line that is going to deflate our margin,” Grant told shareholders on Wednesday at the company’s annual general meeting at the AC Hotel in Kingston.

In its unaudited financials for the third quarter ended September 30, Everything Fresh reported stronger sales, higher profit margins and improved operations. It drove profitability amid the rebound in Jamaica’s tourism industry following the effects of Hurricane Melissa last year.

The company posted revenue of $1.18 billion, up 7.8 per cent from $1.10 billion a year earlier. Management attributed the increase to sustained demand across its core product categories.

Net profit increased by one-third to $25.9 million, from $19.4 million in the third quarter of 2025.

Pullen also confirmed that the company would add at least two multipurpose refrigerated delivery trucks to its fleet by mid-2027.

It runs three Freightliner heavy-duty trucks and two Toyota HiAce trucks in Jamaica and another three at its subsidiary in The Bahamas.

Everything Fresh, which operates from Kingston and Bog Walk, St Catherine, imports and distributes dairy products, meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dry goods. The company also owns 80 per cent of Everything Fresh Bahamas Limited.

Grant said at the meeting that gross margin remained above 20 per cent of revenue despite the challenges.

“We are expanding our footprint, both in Jamaica and The Bahamas, in terms of the network and the range of products that we offer,” Grant told shareholders. “We’re looking at deeper market penetration … in Jamaica and The Bahamas. The mom-and-pop shops, the wholesales, the retail stores. Our actions are driven by operational efficiency, discipline, and cost management.”

The company said it has no plans to expand into other regional markets at this time.

luke.douglas@gleanerjm.com