Supermarkets in the United Arab Emirates

PROSPECTS

Majid Al Futtaim launches I.AM+

In 2019, consumers could download an app called I.AM+ that acts as a voice assistant when they are shopping across Majid Al Futtaim’s grocery outlets: Carrefour Hypermarkets and Carrefour Supermarkets.

Supermarkets go digital

Similar to their hypermarket counterparts, supermarkets are increasingly partnering with third party delivery apps such as InstaShop and Elgrocer to provide greater convenience. Supermarkets have been late to this trend, and now more are heading this way.

Omnichannel

When it comes to modern grocer retailing, omnichannel is becoming a growing trend. For example, in 2018 the Lulu Group allowed consumers to make a purchase online and pick it up from a designated Lulu supermarket at their convenience.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Grandiose supermarket in Dubai Mall Zabeel extension

Dubai Mall has added another grocery store to the mall; currently it only had a Waitrose supermarket. Grandiose, a supermarket that sells French brands such as Luchon and Cotterley, has now opened in the new Dubai Mall Zabeel extension, the 9-storey retail space that is linked to the main mall with a footbridge.

Al Maya Group ranks second in value terms

One of the reasons for the success of this Dubai-based business is its location in high-density residential areas. Furthermore, in a bid to compete with the convenience offered by convenience stores, more and more supermarkets such as Al Maya are being open around the clock.

SPAR supermarket enters Dubai market

With its first outlet in Abu Dhabi, it opened a second outlet in Dubai in 2019 which caters to a more multi-ethnic basket of consumers. It includes many products of private label, SPAR Own Brand products are sourced both regionally and internationally.

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