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Dubai, UAE, and Almaty, Kazakhstan - Majid Al Futtaim Retail, the retail arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has today announced the opening of its first Carrefour hypermarket in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in line with the company's rapid expansion across the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and Russia.
The retail group holds exclusive rights to the Carrefour franchise in 38 markets across the region, and operates a portfolio of more than 70 hypermarkets and 90 supermarkets in now 14 countries. Majid Al Futtaim Retail has previously established Carrefour in Georgia in 2012 and in Armenia in 2014.
The new hypermarket, with a total sales area of 8,200 sq m, is located in Almaty's Grand Park Mall and offers more than 30,000 items, including the widest choice of fresh produce and groceries, home appliances, sporting goods and leisure equipment, as well as textile products.
Eric Legros, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: "The opening of our first outlet in Kazakhstan marks a major milestone for Majid Al Futtaim, as we mark another milestone in our regional growth.
"Kazakhstan is a significant long-term growth market for us, and the new Carrefour Grand Park marks the beginning of a significant KZT 5 billion (AED 52 billion) investment programme that will deliver two additional projects in Almaty and Astana, further strengthening our commitment to the country."
In line with Majid Al Futtaim's commitment to support local communities, the new Carrefour Grand Park store is expected to bring a range of economic benefits to Kazakhstan and has already provided employment to more than 450 people. It is expected to create an additional 150 direct and indirect jobs in Almaty, including 50 local management positions.
The hypermarket is also already working with more than 500 suppliers from Almaty and 20 suppliers from different regions of Kazakhstan, including 130 local manufacturers, producers, and farmers.
As one of the most recognised household brands in the world, Carrefour has introduced international standards and best practices to the retail sector in Kazakhstan. These include new customer service standards, a more sophisticated shopping experience, and best practice in-store hygiene processes.
"We are committed to creating great moments for everyone, everyday, and benefiting the local economy is a key aspect of this commitment," added Legros. "We are already seeing these benefits through job creation and support for local producers. With that in mind, we are very excited about improving customer experiences and delivering the best value for money to consumers in Almaty and beyond."
About Majid Al Futtaim Retail
Majid Al Futtaim Retail is the exclusive franchisee of the second largest supermarket chain in the world, Carrefour, and holds the rights to operate the brand in 38 countries across the Middle East, Western and Central Asia and Africa. It is the retail arm of the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the region, Majid Al Futtaim. Since opening its first hypermarket in the UAE in 1995, Majid Al Futtaim Retail currently operates 150 Carrefour stores in 12 countries across the region.
Carrefour operates a range of retail concepts to suit every customer. These include Carrefour Hypermarkets, Carrefour Markets and Carrefour City stores, as well as the Carrefour online shopping portal.
In line with the brand's commitment to provide the widest range of quality products at the most affordable prices, Carrefour today offers an unrivalled choice of more than 40,000 food and non-food products through many promotions each year.
Carrefour promotes the highest service standards in the region and shapes the development of the regional retail industry. Majid Al Futtaim Retail carefully selects the location of each Carrefour store based on convenience and ease of access for its shoppers, including in shopping malls, and residential and commercial hot spots.
About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one man's vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to 'create great moments for everyone, every day'. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates' most respected and successful businesses spanning 13 international markets, employing more than 30,000 people, and achieving the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the Middle East.
Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 19 shopping malls, 12 hotels and three mixed-use communities, with further developments underway in the region. The shopping malls portfolio includes Mall of the Emirates, City Centre malls, and also four community malls which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. The Company holds exclusive rights to the Carrefour franchise in 38 markets across Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, and with the Hyperstar brand in Pakistan, operates a portfolio of 70 hypermarkets and 90 supermarkets in 13 countries.
Majid Al Futtaim operates 182 VOX Cinema screens and 23 Magic Planet family entertainment centres across the region, in addition to iconic leisure and entertainment facilities such as Ski Dubai and iFly Dubai, among others. The Company launched the first LEGO-certified store in the Middle East and is parent to the consumer finance company issuing 'Najm' and "Voyager" credit cards, a fashion retail business representing international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, AllSaints and lululemon athletica, and a healthcare business that operates a network of City Centre Clinics. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim operates Enova, a facility management company, through a joint venture operation with Veolia, a global leader in optimised environment resource management. The Company also operates in the food and beverage industry through a partnership with Gourmet Gulf.
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Disclaimer: All facts and figures in this release are accurate at the time of issuance.
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© Press Release 2016
