The two companies, both now privately owned, are market leaders in their respective businesses, with Digicel commanding 1.7 million customers islandwide in its six years of operation.

Courts' client list is not as well known - the company said yesterday it was in the process of collating the information - but is likely to be in the tens of thousands.

The furniture and appliance company began operating in Kingston in 1959, and now has stores in all 14 parishes.

Up to this year, it was a publicly traded company until its sale to the Siman family of El Salvador by its bankrupt United Kingdom parent, Courts Plc.

"With both brands having such strong presence in the market, we anticipate that the partnership will do much to reward our loyal customers, as well as attract new ones," said Digicel CEO David Hall.

Courts said yesterday that the deal had no monetary component.

Each party hopes to tap business from the other's clientele.

Digicel will set up sales points at Court's Cross Roads and King Street branches in Kingston, and at Barnett Street, Montego Bay.

"The other 26 stores will be heavily branded by Digicel in designated sections of the store," said Courts.

Digicel products have been available to Courts customers since April 1.  The new arrangement extends that partnership.

"This is another exciting opportunity for Courts and Digicel to continue providing customers with the highest quality products at competitive prices," said Courts managing director Hayden Singh.

"Only this time, we will do it together, making it doubly worthwhile for our customers."

Courts Jamaica formerly had an arrangement with Cable & Wireless Jamaica, which ended some time ago.

article link