Markets/Africa and Middle East/News

Africa & Middle East news & analysis

15 August 2019
After a challenging period that has been shrouded in speculation, Botswana-based Choppies has announced contrasting developments for its operations in Kenya and South Africa. Choppies enjoys positive outcome in Kenya… According to reports, Choppies has signed an agreement with the Association of Kenya Suppliers (AKS) that will see it clear outstanding supplier payments worth an estimated KE...
22 May 2019
Netherlands-based SPAR International reported sales rose 5.4% globally to €35.8bn. The organisation said entry into four new markets, the addition of 335 new stores and the continued focus on its ‘Better Together’ strategy had underpinned the pace of its growth. 2018 ‘an exceptionally strong year for SPAR’ Discussing the results, SPAR International’s managing director, Tobias Wasmuht, descr...
10 April 2019
As Majid Al Futtaim targets further expansion in Kenya and BinDawood continues to add new stores, we round up news from the region and its largest retailers. Majid Al Futtaim targets second place in Kenya for 2019 Carrefour’s franchisee for the Middle East and specific countries in Africa, Majid Al Futtaim, has said it is aiming to become the second largest retailer in Kenya by the end of 2...
10 April 2019
South Africa-based Pick n Pay has published a full year trading statement saying the Group enjoyed turnover growth of 9.6% in the 53-week period ending 3 March 2019. On a 52-week basis the retailer said turnover rose 7.1% Sustained strategy pays off for Pick n Pay Pick n Pay said the performance was driven by like-for-like growth of 4.8% in value terms, with like-for-like volume sales risin...
03 April 2019
As UAE-based LuLu and Majid Al Futtaim and Qatar-based Al Meera discuss their expansion plans for 2019 and into the short term, we round up news from the region. LuLu sets out expansion plans… UAE-based LuLu is aiming to open 32 hypermarkets in 2019. The retailer has said it is looking to expand in GCC countries, where it aims to add 29, including 12 in the UAE, in addition to the 87 it cur...
29 March 2019
As AliExpress and LuLu launch new promotions, competition rises online and in grocery retailing more widely in the UAE we round up news from the region. AliExpress celebrates anniversary in Saudi Arabia… To mark its ninth year of operation in the country, AliExpress is set to launch an anniversary sale that will enable shoppers to enjoy discounts of up to 50% across a range of 100m products...
13 March 2019
As South Africa-based Pick n Pay launches a new campaign, its operations in Namibia add an ecommerce solution and companies in Kenya and Nigeria add new digital capabilities, we round up news from the region. Pick n Pay spotlights small suppliers in South Africa Pick n Pay has launched an initiative to put the spotlight on small suppliers in its home market. The campaign, called ‘Meet the M...
26 February 2019
As LuLu and BinDawood discuss expansion plans for Saudi Arabia, we round up news from the retailers. LuLu sets out expansion plans for Saudi Arabia… LuLu’s chairman, Yusuff Ali MA, attending the India Saudi Business Forum meeting, has said the retailer has ‘ ambitious ’ expansion plans for Saudi Arabia. He said: “ We are upbeat about the vast investment opportunities laid open in the Kingdo...
20 February 2019
As Majid Al Futtaim announces it will launch a wholesale banner in the UAE, Noon plans to enter Egypt and LuLu says it could invest in Bangladesh, we round up news from across the region. Majid Al Futtaim to launch Carrefour Business Majid Al Futtaim has announced plans to launch a new wholesale grocery service to enable it target restaurants and hotels, under the Carrefour Business brand, ...
19 February 2019
UAE-based LuLu has set out its investment plans as it looks to expand in Egypt. Separately its executive director, Ashraf Ali, has been discussing the company’s approach to building its range of organic, healthy and locally sourced food products in the UAE. LuLu to invest AED2bn in Egypt LuLu has set out plans to invest AED2bn (US$544.4m) in Egypt as it looks to expand its presence in the c...