Mega Mart in Jamaica

I received a few tips from some friends before moving to Jamaica, money saving tips and where to find some of the comforts from home while abroad. All of them mentioned Mega Mart in Montego Bay. One of those friends came down to visit me this month and she really wanted to check out the place. I wasn’t too keen on the idea because I hate shopping but she convinced me that while we were in Mobay we should go just to see what it’s like.

Well….walking into Mega Mart was like walking into America! It was kind of like the twilight zone for me because I didn’t know this kind of super center existed in Jamaica! I’m telling you, the place was like Costco – it was HUGE and full of everything! I’m going to give you the rundown of things I was shocked to see here.

The first section I saw when I went in was the furniture section and they had everything. I took note of the prices and most were comparable to normal foreign prices, not super discounted. One of the things my friend noticed was the $2 sandals and they were really cute! She bought them.

Heading into the food section was the real deal though – I saw every foreign brand imaginable and it was such a delight! I love my Jamaican food but I honestly crave a lot of things from back home. REAL cheese is one of them! Like a block of good old fashioned marble cheddar which is hard to find where I live. The deli and dairy sections looked just like a supermarket from home. I was actually so overwhelmed that I hardly bought anything! I didn’t know where to start!

One thing I did find that was a whole lot cheaper was drinks by the case, like my beloved cranberry wata….it works out to about $57 jmd per bottle if you buy it in bulk. A sharp contrast from the $100 jmd you pay when buying it on the road. I bought lots.

Then we headed off to the bakery section and I’m telling you this was like a REAL bakery with giant muffins, decorated cakes and everything! LOL I may sound like a loser right now because I thought Jamaica wouldn’t have anything like this so Mega Mart proved me wrong.

The ONE section in Mega Mart that really surprised me is the gluten free section! I had no idea gluten free was even a word here! My mom would have been proud of me for noticing. And the variety of flours alone was just like any specialty health food store back home.

I would like to thank Paula and Dyana for tipping me off about Mega Mart and making me go check it out. I’ve now decided that I’m going to do bulk shopping trips any time I’m passing through Mobay because it’s really exactly like being back home in regards to the foreign variety of foods you can find there.

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Comments

98 responses to “Mega Mart in Jamaica”

  1. hehehe ready this post and couldn’t stop smiling.

    Enjoy Jamaica and all your discoveries!

    1. LOL thanks!!

  2. GREAT POST! and you’re welcome lol Aww I am in the picture!! I loved Mega mart! It was even better for Canadians, cause they had all the American stuff we can’t even get at home!

    Also, some of the prices were crazy like a 5 pack of underwear for boys was like $1200…. ummm yeah that’s a lot!

    But you forgot the BEST part lol The cooked food section with sandwiches and all sorts of Jamaican foods and slushes!! I had stew beef, because I hardly get to eat beef while in Jamaica! What a fun time we had in there. Can’t wait to do it again!

  3. Glad it lived up to (or exceeded) your expectations. They also have a nice selection of wines in the liquor store. You did not mention it – happens to be one of my favourite features. 🙂

    1. You’re right I totally forgot to mention the liquor store!! I actually went in to check the prices too! They were about the same as anywhere I thought.

  4. Demoya Avatar
    Demoya

    The thing I love most about MEGA Mart are the cakes/pastries. I don’t know how I dont weigh 500 pounds. We have sooo many cake shops but there is something special about the ones at MEGA Mart. Oh, there are two other stores…one in Portmore, St. Catherine and the other in Kingston. So if you are on the other side of the country you can find all your stuff too

    1. Thanks Demoya! I did hear of the one in Kingston too but haven’t been there yet.

  5. Mr. America Avatar
    Mr. America

    Mega Mart, the Australian owned company, gets their products imported into Jamaica tariff free due to the IMF regulations placed on your government. Every time you guys shop there, local dollars are pumped into the global economy, and lack to ever make it back into the Jamaican economy. This is why the Jamaican dollar as no power and your country has spiraled downward economically since your independence in 1962. Jamaicans need to get better educated on the condition of the economy so you can become a real world power.

  6. MegaMart is actually owned and operated by a Jamaican. It is a wholly owned Jamaican company that employs many Jamaicans and supports Jamaican producers.

  7. Mr. Jamaica Avatar
    Mr. Jamaica

    @Mr. America MegaMart is Owned by a person born and bred in Jamaica. Sorry, no Australians there and as a matter of fact they very much DO pay all the associated import duties and tariffs on their imported products unlike a lot of other companies.

    Just Saying.

  8. Konrad Avatar
    Konrad

    Well Mr. America, MegaMart is owned by a Jamaican, who lives in Jamaica, works in Jamaica. I’ve never heard him speak with an Australian accent. MegaMart employs over 800 persons and supports the local farmers and manufactures. When MegaMart does import goods directly from over seas they pay all duties and taxes with no special privileges.

  9. Mr America please please please get your facts right. MegaMart Wholesale Club is a “Jamaican Baby” born and bred.!!!! There are three MegaMarts in Jamaica, I have shopped at all three and the offerings are the same in each. The first time I walked in 10 years ago in their Portmore store I thought I was in Costco. When I have visitors from abroad its the first place we stop to shop. Great Post JC,

    1. I love the comments on here! LOL @ Mr America and Mr Jamaica (the names). And thanks to the last couple posters…..I’ve learned something.

  10. I’m travelling to Montego Bay and there are some things that I can’t buy right now for our trip as they are out of season. I heard of Mega Mart and would like to stop in there. I read somewhere else that a membership is required. Is this true and if it is, how much is a membership?

    Vanessa in Canada

    1. No you don’t need a membership card to shop there. I don’t have one and I was fine.

  11. lol Mega Mart’s got it going on!!!!! Good advert!! I enjoyed reading this more than watching their show on the local station! 😀

    1. LOL!! I tell you it was an education for me! Felt just like home.

  12. It is a must for my husband and I to stop at mega mart on our way to negril! It has everything we need for the resort we stay at. Which has a kitchen! Does anyone know what time the store closes in the evening?

    1. Hmmmm I’m not sure what time it closes. Hopefully someone who reads your comment knows!

  13. I am so glad I read these comments. I am going to Jamaica next month, and wanted to go somewhere to get bulk drinks and snacks for our villa. Someone told me about Mega Mart, and I was wondering if you needed a membership. Now I know my answer! Thanks!!

  14. RENAE CAMPBELL Avatar
    RENAE CAMPBELL

    I’M REALLY IMPRESS ABOUT THIS ENTERING OF MEGA MART AN ITS TRUE VALUE 2 JAMAICAN PEOPLE, THANK YOU MEGA MART, KEEP ON DOING WHAT UR DOING

  15. goodas30 Avatar
    goodas30

    Mega mart closes at 10 pm and you don’t ned a membership.

  16. Wow, these comments are awesome…We are renting a villa at Silver Sands in October and was wondering if this Mega Mart was anywhere near the Montego Bay airport and Silver Sands???? Any ideas? Thanks!

    1. Isn’t Silver Sands in Duncans? Maybe there’s more than one of them. Mega Mart is in the middle of Mobay, probably 15 minutes drive from the airport.

  17. This is like Wal mart in Jamaica, big and big

  18. Kristin Avatar
    Kristin

    Is there an ATM at the Mega in MoBay?

  19. Great Jamaican store

  20. There is only one Mega Mart in Mobay. There is an ATM (Scotia Bank (free withdrawals for Bank of America users) inside the Mega Mart store in Montego Bay. It’s really not that big … would seem so probably to some people who are not used to a large store. And definitely NOT a Walmart It can be a bit overpriced. Unless you’re looking for specific foreign item it’s probably better to shop at the local stores and haberdasheries where it’s a lot less expensive.

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Thanks for that info BJ!

  21. You’re welcome… can you remove my email from the posting, please. Thanks so much. 🙂 Hope you’re having a good time.

  22. Nikki Avatar
    Nikki

    @Kristin, you can choose to pay for your grocery with your debit card either in US or Canadian… the cashier will just do the conversion. I hope they will start selling bulk walnut soon…without shells.

  23. kimberly Avatar
    kimberly

    Hi I do massage n was told I could purchase a portable massage bed from megamart how much is ur massage beds?

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I am not Mega Mart. I just wrote an article about it. Sorry.

  24. I just came back from Jamaica and did go to Mega Mart twice. I was staying up in the hills so it was best for us to stop off there to do our big shopping after leaving the airport. I was able to get everything that I wanted. There is also a snack bar in there and a pharmacy and, of course, the liquor store. They sell SIM cards too. The exchange was much higher there than what I got at the airport and they take $U.S. The shops in the nearest small town where I stayed only had the basics. Mega Mart is just a few minutes away from the airport going west, so it is best to stop off there if you plan to do a big shopping for some items similar to home before heading out to far places if you are planning to do your own cooking. Of course, some things are probably more expensive than up north like canned tuna and salmon. Local shops may be cheaper with other items but you will not get large stores like that.

    I did see a Hi-Lo nearby but I did not go in. It is always good idea to check with the locals to know the difference in the prices.

    1. Thanks for your comments on Mega Mart Angela. I loved the store. And yes I forgot to mention the liquor store and cafeteria place with ready-made Jamaican food. I actually ate some lunch there.

  25. mega mart seems to be a great shoppin experience. cant wait for it to be open for business in mandeville

    1. Apparently there’s one opening in Ochi too. I was there 4 months ago and it was well under construction.

  26. thanks, you guys. Mr. Azan is opening a mega mart in Mandeville and i am doing a paper on how the residence feel about its construction. Your comments have helped alot. And i
    love the pictures from the article.Good work!!!

  27. Do they have a baby section that would sell baby clothes, play-pens etc…?

    1. I didn’t look for that Mike, but I’m sure they must. They seem to have everything!!

  28. I think it could go one step further by offering online shopping to people overseas, it would help buying groceries for relatives in jamaica all they would need to do is collect it with a provided ref #. if thats not in place already

    1. That’s actually a pretty great idea Hellen! And would save foreign relatives the hassle of shipping barrels.

  29. Would I be able to find toys, games, sporting goods and footwear here? This sounds like a very good, one stop shopping location for me to go to.
    Did anyone see any smoked hams or picnic shoulders? I’d be looking for enough to feed about 30 people. Not sure what the cost of that in Jamaica will be for me.

    1. Troy I’m sure you can find everything you need at MegaMart. It’s almost like a SuperStore or Costco up here in Canada.

  30. I am so happy to read this! I am going to Negril for two months and will have a full kitchen , and had no clue what to expect at Mega Mart! This is a great advert and i am thrilled to know it is a Jamaican company!!

    1. Glad you found it helpful Karen! Enjoy your time in Negril 🙂

  31. Does anyone know what brands of kitchen appliances they carry and can delivery be arranged?

  32. Does Megamart have fresh local cut flowers?

  33. Good old mega mart! I was brought there by friends to do my xmas shopping and all I walked out with was loads of alcohol and wata of course!. They do have a great range of body wash n lotions, personal hygiene products that are hard to find. Most of food was overpriced and I think someone mentioned it but you are better off going to a supermarket in town. I will go back again for sure simply because we have nothing like that where I am from in Australia (amused at australian owner comment) Most people here shop at woolworths or the farmers markets.
    Nancy there are online stores like ‘atljamaica’ and ‘courts’ who have lots of appliances and can arrange delivery to family or friends 🙂

  34. Is their liquor cheaper than other grocery stores? Do they have a bigger selection? I’m thinking beer and liquor, not wine. I don’t drink wine.

    1. No it’s not cheaper. We checked and it’s the same or more than smaller local shops.

  35. Passion Avatar
    Passion

    Hi Mike, MegaMart does have a baby section, with a wide range of baby items that you can think of. They also cater for toddlers and small children, also a variety of female and male clothing, shoes and so on. The store in Mandeville is now open from 9am to 10pm. There is the food court with inside and outside eating area, Deli, Bakery, Meat, Appliance, Electronics, a wide range of household items. The Pharmacy, western union, BNS atm outlet are pending. Its great to shop at megamart its a one stop shop with exceptional customer service and pleasant staff and clean environment.

  36. Does anyone know what types of gluten free foods they have available and the pricing for gluten free items?

  37. Does anyone know if they sell bicycles there?

    1. Yes they do. Found that answer on Google. They also sell them at Courts.

  38. Valarie Avatar
    Valarie

    Does anyone know if MegaMart sell pack and play’s? We have 16 month old twins we are taking on our trip and are trying to avoid bringing 2 pack and plays. We are willing to buy one when we arrive, if available.

  39. Does anyone know if you can buy rice milk in mega store or anywhere else on the island

    Thanks

  40. Stacey Avatar
    Stacey

    Same question as Valarie! Do they sell Graco pack n plays and if so, anyone know what price they range? Need to bring a 6 month old and trying to avoid high airline fees bringing one from the states.

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Not sure. You will have to contact them directly.

  41. I’m an American, when I found the Megamart I thought it was the absolute BEST!!! I was able to find all the Jamaican items I can’t get at home. I purchased so many items to take back home with me and my sisters. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the place.

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Great to know Jo!

  42. SIMONE Avatar
    SIMONE

    Hi, do you sell baby play pen or otherwise call pack N play. could i be email the brands and the cost at my email address, please thank you.

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      You will have to contact Mega Mart directly. I’m just a travel blogger and not affiliated with them.

  43. Love mega mart, my mum and dad returned to ha from London 30yrs ago. I was 17yrs and hated jamaica. While my recent trip changed all that. I was in mega mart every day. Bought dad news glasses, kitchenware, furniture, tv you name it, I bought it. Reliable friendly a real breath of fresh air. Now I am planning to retire yes Mandeville jamaica.
    Thanks mega mart you have restored my faith in jamaica grow strong and successful.

    1. Good to hear you love Jamaica and MegaMart!

  44. concerned customer Avatar
    concerned customer

    Good day:
    I am a Black Jamaican who lives in the US for the past 40 years. I recently visited the Megamart store located in Mandeville Jamaica. At first, I was very pleased to see a quality department store with a wide range of goods to select from in Mandeville. The facility was clean and well kept. However, as my family and I walked through the store, we realized that we were being followed by security. They did not approach us however it was quite evident that they were somewhat doing unnecessary surveillance on us. In otherwise, profiling us as suspects who might commit some type of petty crime. I personally felt dehumanized. I make enough money, and have academic achievements that allow me to support my family extremely comfortably. Megamart perhaps is the last store on my list to steal from were I a thief.

    The manager and owner of Megamart are providing a needed service to the residents of Mandeville. However, they should do more in terms of training staff on good customer service delivery. I would like them to emphasize the negative effects of racial profiling to business and to the morale of their customers.

    It is much more comfortable to shop at a less desirable store such as Superplus than at Megamart where I am being profiled. For this reason, my family and friends in Jamaica sadly will not recommend Megamart as a friendly family store to shop.

    1. Sadly your situation isn’t isolated to MegaMart. It happens all over the world. I would say racial profiling is rampant right in your own home in the good old USA.

  45. I have to disagree on the cheese. Having lived in the stats for a while and tried many American cheese, I have to say that Jamaican tastee cheese is one of the best especially when making Macaroni and cheese.

  46. Was there last year fo rthe 1st time, and I loved it!!!!!!!
    I will be there this year, and I will be going back to this store during my visit!

    1. Good to hear David! It’s a great place to shop!

  47. We first learned about Mega Mart from our driver. He told us he takes people there after picking them up at the airport so they can stock up on things for their vacation. Since we go to Negril, we stop for cases of water and of course our favorite Ting. Will be there in 10 days. Can’t wait!

    1. Thanks for the comment Lynne, and have a fabulous trip!

  48. Thanks for taking the time to write about Mega Mart very interesting and I would love to know do they sell 100% concentrated frozen grape juice which I love

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      You would have to check with them. I have no idea!

  49. Thanks for getting back to me very kind of you thanks again

  50. yanique mcnarrine Avatar
    yanique mcnarrine

    i love mega mart

  51. Does Megamart take credit cards or cash only?

    1. I’m sure they would take credit cards.

  52. Dana Timmons Avatar
    Dana Timmons

    We are coming in May with a child whow has multiple food allergies (gluten, casien, soy) Is there any place like Whole Foods where I can look for specialty foods?

  53. Jackie McDonald Avatar
    Jackie McDonald

    My daughter is a student at U.W.I MoBay Campus and I took her shopping for the first time and I found it very pleasant and I got everything I wanted.
    One Stop Shopping making life so much easier. We need one in May Pen.

    1. Closest one for you would be Portmore.

  54. Does mega mart have coors light in montego bay?

    1. I have no idea Jeff! I’m not a beer drinker!

  55. Do they sell any “Lite Beers” other than Red Stripe Lite?

    1. Not sure….you’d have to contact them directly! I’m not a beer drinker lol.

  56. MegaMart Jamaica Avatar
    MegaMart Jamaica

    We are very happy to hear that we were able to facilitate you having all your favourite items from home right here with you in Jamaica.

    We thank you for your kind words and look forward to continuing to meet your supply needs in the future.

    All queries and questions regarding MegaMart my be submitted to prandmarketing@megmartjm.com.

    Thank you.

  57. Do you a membership to shop at mega mart in Jamaica ?

    1. No you don’t have to have a membership

  58. dre.kingston Avatar
    dre.kingston

    wait a minute… love the fact you guys enjoyed Jamaica but what about Kingston? plus the mega mart here has a whole lot more and if you think mega mart as alot of stuff you should try Price Mart on red hills rd…..come to Kingston man..its only the heartbeat of Jamaica

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Thanks for your comment Dre. I’ve been to Kingston a few times over the years but I do prefer the countryside. I live in a big city so I like to get away from it all when I’m in Jamaica.

  59. After living in big foreign cities like L.A., New York or Toronto Kingston is not very much to talk about. It’s really just an over sized third world town (without an opera or symphony to boot).

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Pablo this Mega Mart I went to is in Mobay.

  60. Phyllis Avatar
    Phyllis

    What kind of furniture is sold at Mega mart

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Phyllis, I haven’t been to Mega Mart in a long time but they had nearly everything. Not the traditional heavy wood furniture but they do have lots of variety.

  61. Kimone Avatar
    Kimone

    This is an awesome post I enjoyed all the comments.
    Does anyone know how I can reach their buyers? I have a product that I would love to supply to Jamaica.

    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Kimone I would start with the Mega Mart website to get in touch with them.

  62. You can also try price smart in kingston

  63. This store is open 9 am to 10 pm everyday I was there this week staying in montego bay not far from pier one I highly recommend it it has everything they even have a Polaroid store which they dont sell in the usa.

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