The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Courts’ Ashley Furniture Gallery in Castries. Cutting the ribbon is Minister of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte (centre), on the extreme far left is Managing Director of Courts St Lucia Limited Derek Luk Pat, second right is International Specialist at Ashley Furniture Industries Limited Jesus Decal and another Ashley Furniture official.
People looking to furnish their new home or upgrade their living rooms can explore their purchase options with the advent of a new line of furniture at Courts Castries branch on Chausee Road.
The furniture giant launched the Ashley brand of furniture at a cocktail ceremonyon Tuesday March, 18 at its location on Chaussee Road.
The partnership between Courts and Ashley Furniture Industries Limited is part of the company’s goal to provide quality, class and style home furnishing and appliances to St Lucia.
Ashley Furniture is considered the number one retailer of home furnishing and accessories in the United States.
The partners regard this as a significant step towards providing a variety of options of home furnishing for local customers here.
Acting Senior Manager of Courts St. Lucia Limited Allison Niles said her company is pleased since the move brings a unique combination of two companies working together towards bringing comfort, unique choices and sophistication to home furnishing to all customers in St Lucia.
According to her, Ashley Furniture, is known for creating and designing the most extraordinary furniture line in the world.
“We are a company that continues to meet the evolving needs of our customers, bringing class, quality and style to their homes,” she added.
Niles anticipates this will strengthen Courts position as “the number one supplier of furniture.”
A section of the Ashley Furniture Gallery showcasing an entire room set and appliances.
Meanwhile, OECS commercial director of Furniture for Unicomer Limited – the parent company of Courts – said it is apparent that Courts and Ashley creates a natural synergy that is translated into a retail offering of number ones.
“This Ashley Gallery here in Castries is one of thirteen galleries throughout the Caribbean and the Unicomer group is extremely honoured to have been chosen by Ashley to enter into a business relationship, to bring a unique shopping experience for you,” Lorraine Sidonie noted.
In addition to the lounge, dinning and bedroom pieces, all of the galleries will also feature a fine array of accessories, casually selected by the experts at Ashley Furniture. These pieces range from pillows, ornaments, mirrors, flower arrangements, vases, carpets and lamps, among several other unique items.
Minister of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte in her remarks at Tuesday’s launch praised the Unicomer Limited Courts brand for its continued effort, “in elevating the excellent quality and standard of products sold at the various outlets throughout St Lucia.”
Having launched Ashley Furniture, Hippolyte believes that it will no doubt complement the other brands of excellent products being sold and distributed by Courts across the country.
The Ashley line of furniture, she said, will bring about greater comfort and satisfaction to consumers. “From its inception in 1981, Courts has over the years provided every St Lucian consumer the opportunity to purchase furniture, appliances and electronics and other consumer products through a well financed credit arrangement on a weekly, fort-nightly or monthly basis. This readily available access to credit offers many promotions and over the years Courts has become a household name.”
With approximately 78 per cent market share, the minister added that Courts has positively impacted on the local economy and the lives of its people.
“It has played and continues to play a pivotal role in supporting our local furniture manufacturers and suppliers. Over the years, Courts has been a strategic partner in the development and advancement of the local furniture sector, by providing a ready market for many of our local furniture manufacturers,” she said.
The minister recalled that Courts was also very instrumental in initiating a furniture supplier scheme, one in which local furniture suppliers were given an opportunity to provide local products to Courts, which they resold. According to her, her ministry is currently in discussions with the company to look at ways to expand the local furniture sector.
The Ashley Furniture Gallery is located at the second floor of the Courts Chaussee Road, Castries branch. Customers are urged to visit the gallery to get a look for themselves, at the unique pieces that are available. Special cash discount prices are now available. However, persons who wish to purchase any of these items on a credit basis can also do so.
The Ashley Furniture line of products remains one of the best selling furniture and appliances brand in the world, with a presence in 123 countries worldwide.