Markets/Africa and Middle East/News

Africa & Middle East news & analysis

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...
30 January 2019
We look at how CFAO, Carrefour’s franchisee in West and Central Africa, is expanding its Supeco and Carrefour Market formats. CFAO to expand Supeco cash & carry format… CFAO has announced it is rethinking its strategy to extend its reach. It plans to expand the Supeco cash & carry format to Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon. The franchisee hopes to open between eight to 10 Supeco stores b...
29 January 2019
We round up the latest news from the Middle East as Noon launches its own private label range and as the Giant Group sells its Safestway brand to West Zone. Noon launches private label range Saudi Arabia-based, online retailer noon has launched its first private label range, called east. The launch is part of noon’s aim to offer customers “more choice, convenience and incredible value” . ...
18 January 2019
South Africa-based Woolworths has reported a slower growth in sales for the 26 weeks ending 23 December 2018. Sales increased by 1.9% compared with a 2.5% increase in the same period in 2017. Food sales increased by 6.3%... The company said its growth was impacted by the absence of a pre-Christmas trading day, which helped sales in 2017. However, Woolworths Food sales increased by 6.3%, wit...
04 January 2019
We look at how UAE-based Lulu and Dubai-based Union Coop are expanding in the Middle East. Lulu opens hypermarket in Saudi Arabia… As part of its expansion plans, Lulu has opened its 15 th hypermarket in Saudi Arabia located in Al Kharj. The 15,000 sq m store is Lulu’s 158 th hypermarket globally. The retailer has said the stores features a spacious layout with organised category displays...
03 January 2019
Pick n Pay has worked with three Gauteng-based entrepreneurs to open spaza stores through its modernisation programme. The programme allows entrepreneurs to remain independent, while helping them incorporate new systems and upskill them regarding their retailing expertise. The spaza modernisation programme Since its launch in Gauteng in 2016 , Pick n Pay’s programme has helped open 20 ...
21 December 2018
Nigeria-based ecommerce retailer Jumia and France-based wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard have announced they are expanding their partnership. Pernod Ricard will invest in Jumia to become a strategic shareholder. Pernod Richard to provide expertise… The extended partnership, which was first formed in 2016, will see Jumia offer its digital, logistics and payment platforms. Meanwhile, Pe...
20 December 2018
UAE-based Majid Al Futtaim has launched an online store in Jordan, which will sell its non-food ranges, while it has also announced a partnership with locally-based Basket.jo for grocery products. Meanwhile, in Egypt it has launched an app. Online store launched in Jordan… Majid Al Futtaim has launched a new online store for Carrefour in Jordan, which will serve all provinces except Aqaba. ...
20 December 2018
Kenya-based Tuskys has announced it has developed a new online store. Retailer highlights multiple benefits Tuskys has invested KES30m (US€284,993) in the development of the online store. Tuskys said the store is part of its strategy to improve business performance and online customer experience. It is powered by an Amazon Online retail engine and is based on a cloud-based platform. The sto...