Markets/Africa and Middle East/News

Africa & Middle East news & analysis

19 December 2019
As Choppies announces further market exits and Jumia says it is closing its operations in Rwanda and the latter investigates opportunities in other revenue streams, we round up news from the region. Choppies to exit three further countries Choppies will exit Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania, an announcement that follows its recent decision to sell its operations in South Africa . The compa...
19 December 2019
Majid Al Futtaim, which operates the Carrefour brand across the Middle East and other countries, has looked to build online solutions for its operations in Qatar and Pakistan. Carrefour Qatar launches ecommerce site As it looks to build out its omnichannel strategy across the countries where it operates, Majid Al Futtaim operated Carrefour has launched an ecommerce site in Qatar. The initia...
05 December 2019
As the UAE implements new taxes, Majid Al Futtaim commits to further expansion and Al Meera looks to spotlight its locally sourced ranges, we round up news from the region. UAE expands tax coverage on certain products The UAE has implemented tax changes on certain products as it looks to improve the nation’s health. The country said it had implemented a 50% tax on non-fizzy drinks that have...
04 December 2019
As South Africa-based Pick n Pay rolls out packaging-free zones, Botswana-based Choppies sells its operations in South Africa and Kenya’s Quickmart increases the pace of its expansion, we round up news from the region. Pick n Pay trials packaging-free zone Pick n Pay has added a packaging-free zone at its Constantia store in Cape Town. The zone comes after the retailer trialled ‘nude wall...
28 November 2019
As Majid Al Futtaim adds hydroponic farms, LuLu opens new stores and AliExpress adds new services, we round up news from the region. Carrefour opens hydroponic farm in Abu Dhabi Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) owned Carrefour has opened two hydroponic farms at stores in My City Centre Masdar and Yas Mall. MAF said the hydroponic farms enable shoppers to buy from a select range of herbs and microgree...
11 November 2019
As LuLu discusses its expansion plans for Saudi Arabia, Majid Al Futtaim, at a corporate level, aims to remove freely distributed plastics from across its operations and Deliveroo extends its coverage in the UAE, we round up news from the region. LuLu to expand in Saudi Arabia Speaking at an event in the country, LuLu’s chairman and managing director, Yusuff Ali, discussed the retailer’s pl...
16 October 2019
As Checkers relaunches its loyalty card, third party logistics firm Glovo continues to expand its presence in Kenya and CFAO adds new stores in Cameroon, we round up news from the region. Shoprite’s Checkers relaunches loyalty programme Checkers has relaunched its Xtra Savings loyalty programme, following a short-lived trial of the solution in 2016. The programme enables shoppers to save up...
25 September 2019
UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim has grown its online presence for the Carrefour brand, which will enable shoppers in more countries to buy from the retailer’s grocery offer. Carrefour and Talabat tie up for service in Bahrain and Oman… Carrefour and the food app Talabat are collaborating to enable shoppers in Bahrain and Oman to buy from the former’s grocery range. Customers will be able to bene...
12 September 2019
As international retailers continue to expand, local companies are coming under pressure. We look at developments from a range of retailers in the country that underline the changes being seen in the country. Quickmart and Tumaini plan merger… In a statement signed by the managing directors of Quickmart, Duncan Kinuthia and Tumaini, Moses Nditika, the two retailers have said they plan to me...
09 September 2019
As Souq.com launches a same day delivery service in Saudi Arabia and Uber Eats appoints a new general manager for the country, we round up news from the country. Souq.com adds same day delivery offer Amazon-owned Souq.com has launched the Fulfilled by Souq service, which will enable shoppers in Riyadh and Jeddah who purchase goods before midday to receive their orders on the same day. The c...