PHOTO
11 May 2017
(Updated to make it clear the exclusive franchise partner for Carrefour in the region is Majid Al Futtaim)
Carrefour, a leading international retailer, is working to enhance its digital presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the French supermarket brand seeks to increase its share of the fast-growing e-commerce sector, according to a senior official from the company's main franchise partner.
UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim is the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour in 38 markets across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, including the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Majid Al Futtaim is a holding company that owns and operates several shopping malls and retail outlets in the Middle East, including Dubai’s Mall of The Emirates.
Miguel Povedano, executive regional director, UAE, at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, told Zawya in an email interview that one of the challenges facing Carrefour in the UAE is in “adapting to the evolving technology landscape and our customers’ digital demands.”
In attempts to cope with consumers’ rising digital demands, Povedano said Carrefour launched a mobile application for UAE customers in September 2014, which grants them access to promotions and personalised discounts. The chain has also introduced online shopping services on specific items, Povedano added.
The GCC’s e-commerce market is growing at a remarkably fast pace and it is expected to rise to $20 billion by 2020 from $5.3 billion in 2015, according to a report by global consultancy firm AT Kearney. (Read more here)
Povedano further said Carrefour plans future expansions in the healthier food segment such as gluten free and organic products seen as an emerging trend in the UAE.
“The average estimate from industry sources is that the organic and healthy food segment will grow at about 5-10 percent (in the UAE) over the next few years. This rate of growth will take healthy food from its current niche to a more mainstream state, with a distinct consumer base,” he added.
He said Carrefour will also increase the number of its smaller convenience stores in the UAE as it sees a growing demand on them. Carrefour is set to launch two new hypermarkets and eight supermarkets in the Emirates this year. (Read more here)
Povedano said Carrefour is looking into extending its home delivery service and is currently testing the service in several areas in Dubai.
Globally, Carrefour reported a 6.2 rise in its first-quarter sales, after a slowdown in the fourth quarter of 2016 that was a reflection of a weak performance in its staple French market. (Read more here and here)
In 2015, the French retailer adopted a new technology in several European stores that tracks a consumer’s movement and beams data to his or her smartphone via light pulses that are undetectable to the eye, guiding customers to the areas that have special promotions. (Read more here)
(Updated to make it clear the exclusive franchise partner for Carrefour in the region is Majid Al Futtaim)
Carrefour, a leading international retailer, is working to enhance its digital presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the French supermarket brand seeks to increase its share of the fast-growing e-commerce sector, according to a senior official from the company's main franchise partner.
UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim is the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour in 38 markets across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, including the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Majid Al Futtaim is a holding company that owns and operates several shopping malls and retail outlets in the Middle East, including Dubai’s Mall of The Emirates.
Miguel Povedano, executive regional director, UAE, at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, told Zawya in an email interview that one of the challenges facing Carrefour in the UAE is in “adapting to the evolving technology landscape and our customers’ digital demands.”
In attempts to cope with consumers’ rising digital demands, Povedano said Carrefour launched a mobile application for UAE customers in September 2014, which grants them access to promotions and personalised discounts. The chain has also introduced online shopping services on specific items, Povedano added.
The GCC’s e-commerce market is growing at a remarkably fast pace and it is expected to rise to $20 billion by 2020 from $5.3 billion in 2015, according to a report by global consultancy firm AT Kearney. (Read more here)
Povedano further said Carrefour plans future expansions in the healthier food segment such as gluten free and organic products seen as an emerging trend in the UAE.
“The average estimate from industry sources is that the organic and healthy food segment will grow at about 5-10 percent (in the UAE) over the next few years. This rate of growth will take healthy food from its current niche to a more mainstream state, with a distinct consumer base,” he added.
He said Carrefour will also increase the number of its smaller convenience stores in the UAE as it sees a growing demand on them. Carrefour is set to launch two new hypermarkets and eight supermarkets in the Emirates this year. (Read more here)
Povedano said Carrefour is looking into extending its home delivery service and is currently testing the service in several areas in Dubai.
Globally, Carrefour reported a 6.2 rise in its first-quarter sales, after a slowdown in the fourth quarter of 2016 that was a reflection of a weak performance in its staple French market. (Read more here and here)
In 2015, the French retailer adopted a new technology in several European stores that tracks a consumer’s movement and beams data to his or her smartphone via light pulses that are undetectable to the eye, guiding customers to the areas that have special promotions. (Read more here)
