Markets/Africa and Middle East/News

Africa & Middle East news & analysis

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...
18 December 2018
Qatar-based Al Meera has signed an agreement with Qatar Rail to open stores in Doha Metro stations. Separately, the retailer has rolled out its ‘Meera Rewards’ loyalty programme nationwide. Al Meera to open stores in metro stations… Al Meera has opened eight stores in Doha Metro stations with help from Qatar Rail. The retailer is also working on an additional three projects in Oman. Al Meer...
18 December 2018
South Africa-based Shoprite has opened its first distribution centre in Nigeria and its first store in Kenya. Meanwhile, SPAR Nigeria has opened its 14 th store in Lagos. Shoprite opens distribution centre in Nigeria… Shoprite has opened its first owned and operated distribution centre in Lagos, Nigeria. The retailer said the 4,700 sq. m centre has taken 12 months to renovate to bring it i...
11 December 2018
UAE-based fuel and convenience retailer, ADNOC Distribution, has opened two service stations in Saudi Arabia. The new store openings mark the company’s retail entry into the country. First phase of international growth The service stations are located on the Riyadh-Dammam highway (40km from the capital) and in Hofuf. The company said the service stations mark the first phase of its commitme...
10 December 2018
As UAE-based Lulu opens its seventh hypermarket in Bahrain, Spinneys announces its decision to grow further in Egypt and petrol forecourt operator ENOC sets out plans to expand in Saudi Arabia. Lulu opens new hypermarket in Bahrain Lulu has opened its seventh hypermarket in Bahrain, located in the recently opened Atrium Mall in Saar. The hypermarket will serve residents of Budaiya, Hamala, ...
27 November 2018
We look at how Carrefour franchisees, CFAO and Majid Al Futtaim, are investing in their physical and digital channels in Africa. CFAO opens Carrefour Market in Yopougon… CFAO has opened its third Carrefour Market store in the Ivory Coast and fourth in Sub-Saharan Africa. The new Carrefour Market is inside the Cosmos shopping centre and will use the same supply chain resources as other CFAO-...
27 November 2018
UAE-based Lulu has signed an agreement with the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia. As part of the agreement, Lulu will open two shopping centres and seven supermarkets in Dammam and Al Ahsa. Supermarkets promise employment for Saudi youth… The store openings are expected to create a significant number of jobs for young people in Saudi Arabia. Lulu ho...
23 November 2018
We look at how retailers in the Middle East are digitising their shopper experiences. Souq.com announces dates for ‘White Friday’ Online retailer Souq.com, owned by Amazon, has revealed its ‘White Friday’ sale (a regional version of ‘Black Friday’) will take place from 20 to 24 November 2018. The sale will feature "more deals than ever" with discounts of up to 70% on products including ca...
19 November 2018
South Africa-based Woolworths and OK Zimbabwe have released their latest financial statements. Meanwhile, wholesaler and retailer Sefalana has successfully trialled 10 Botswana Post kiosks in stores in its home market. Woolworths sales increase 2.7% Woolworths reported an increase in overall sales of 2.7% and by 3.6% in constant currency terms for the first 20 weeks of its 2019 financial ye...