McKinsey to assess Jumbo's retail existing network and advice on future expansion plans

September 21, 2004: Dubai: Jumbo Electronics, Middle-East's leading consumer electronics, information technology and telecom firm has appointed McKinsey & Company to analyse the strength of their retail operations, and provide counsel on the expansion strategy.

Mckinsey will undertake the task of studying Jumbo's existing retail operations to map out a growth strategy that taps the huge opportunity for consumer electronics players in the Middle East in the future years. Slated as a first in the market, the appointment of McKinsey is a pioneering initiative taken by any retailer in the region.

According to Kiran Chhabria, Director, Marketing and Communications, Jumbo Electronics; "We are proud to work with the world's leading consulting firm and are very optimistic about the outcome of this unique alliance.  The changing retail landscape in the Middle East offers tremendous opportunities for growth, and customer expectations requires that we adopt not just the latest retail technology but a radical shift in our approach to delivering customer satisfaction. Additionally, of late, several principal companies as well as distributors have expanded their regional presence. 

We have shared our vision with McKinsey to offer the very best to our loyal customer base."

The McKinsey relationship with Jumbo Electronics UAE has been extended after the successful outcome of McKinsey's extensive work for Group Companies such as Shaw Wallace and Dunlop India Limited.

McKinsey consultants will analyse the juxtaposition of Jumbo's sheer retail   muscle of 23 outlets, which have a combined footfall of 4000 shoppers on an average day against UAE's unique multicultural environment, a threefold growth in the retail industry and a tourism strong economy.

The four-month project is expected to reinforce Jumbo's positioning as a retailer who understands the pulse of the consumers' in this market, and to help it to consolidate its relationship with the principal companies.

Market research for the entire project will be handled exclusively by AC Nielsen.

McKinsey will base its study on several aspects or "service lines". A few of these are - Format Strategy and Renewal to keep up consumer preferences, tastes and expectations, Marketing and Customer Experience to understand customers behavioural patterns and the implications of the experience on brand loyalty, Multi-Channel Strategy, Pricing and Promotions which is highly relevant to a market like UAE, Use of Technology at the Retail Level and other aspects of operations.  

-Ends-

About Jumbo Group and Jumbo Electronics LLC
The Jumbo Group, an international industrial and trading conglomerate,  enjoys a presence in over 25 countries with 28 companies covering its multi-facted operations in diverse segments such as consumer electronics, tyres and tubes, breweries, chemicals, industrial machinery and logistics management.

Its flagship company, Jumbo Electronics LLC, is one of the biggest names in the field of Consumer Electronics, Information Technology and Telecommunications in the UAE. One of UAE's first transnational corporations, the Dubai headquarted Jumbo Electronics,  has  a well spread out network of  23 showrooms and 10 service centres that spans the entire UAE.

Partner for Global Brands
Jumbo's retail and distribution network have made it a natural choice for manufacturers who want to tap the growing Middle East market.  One of the largest Sony distributors in the world, the company has an enviable line-up of brands in its portfolio that includes Acer, Brother, Canon, Casio, Citizen, Dometic, Dyson, Epson, Fujitsu Siemens, Genius, Handspring, HP-Compaq, IBM, I-Mate, Logitec, Motorola, Nokia, Orson, Palm, Philips, Rionet, Samsung, Sendo, Siemens, Sony-Ericcson, Supra,  Targus, Teleview, Thuraiya etc. 

2004 -  A Milestone of Excellence
From modest beginnings in 1974,  Jumbo's remarkable progress into being a consumer electronics giant has been built with an uncompromising adherence to quality.  Today, in its 30th Anniversary year, Jumbo's five principal  divisions,  Sony Division, IT Division, Telecom Division, Supra Division, Agencies Division work seamlessly with channels such as the Retail Division and Corporate Sales Division, with support from the Jumbo Services Division,  to set new benchmarks in customer service.

Headquarters
Jumbo Electronics Co. Ltd.
Al Gurg Building,
Tareq Bin Ziyad Road
P.O. Box 3426,
Dubai,
UAE
Phone: (9714) 336 7999
Fax: (9714) 334 1798
www.jumbocorp.com

Media Contacts
Elizabeth Sen/Jai Tolani
Bates PanGulf PR
04-295 3456
liz@batespangulf.com

© Press Release 2004