“Our purpose is to bring well-being and opportunity to our customers, whether that’s through the products we offer or the financial services we provide,” says Errol Le Blanc,Vice President of Unicomer Caribbean. He explains that Unicomer’s financial services are particularly significant. The company helps customers who might not qualify for traditional banking loans by offering credit for household items, business equipment, and even motorcycles. “We’re especially focused on supporting micro and small entrepreneurs, giving them access to credit they might not otherwise have,” she says, describing this service as a critical component of Unicomer’s mission. The group’s footprint in the Caribbean began with the acquisition of Courts, a well-established brand in the region.“When we bought the Courts operation in 2006, it was a big step for us,” Le Blanc recalls. This acquisition marked the start of Unicomer’s expansion across the Caribbean. This journey continued with a significant move in 2014 when the company acquired several well-known brands in Aruba, including AMC, Unicorn, and Price Hacker.These strategic purchases allowed Unicomer to solidify its presence in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. Le Blanc, describes the company’s growth since entering the Caribbean market. Originally focused on furniture and appliances with credit sales, Unicomer has diversified to include optical stores and financial services like cash loans. “We introduced optical stores and now offer a variety of financial services, including cash loans,” he says. Unicomer now offers loans for in-store purchases and personal use, which has become a key part of its business. Felix Siman, Caribbean Vice President & Managing Director, highlights Courts’ longstanding presence in the region.“Courts has become a staple and a strong brand,” he notes, customers using its credit services for over 30 years. Unicomer has also launched store and credit cards in markets like Guatemala and Costa Rica.Another major milestone was Unicomer’s acquisition of RadioShack, initially in Latin America and recently expanded to the U.S. market; the company also operates Ashley Homestore franchises, supporting its strategy to serve diverse income levels and market needs. EXPANDING IN TRINIDAD With a solid foundation in the Caribbean, Unicomer is doubling down on its investment in Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on expanding its retail presence, developing real estate projects, and growing its consumer finance offerings.The company has a new Courts megastore under construction in Port of Spain, a 40,000-square-foot retail space designed to elevate 17 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 11, ISSUE 12 UNICOMER GROUP
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