The plans reveal that the brand intends to open more than 100 Carrefour stores across the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe this year.
Carrefour, which is owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in the Middle East region, plans to nearly the double the number of stores opened last year, with the aim of opening around 100 this year. Currently, the brand operates 350 stores; the group intends to finish the year with 450 locations. The convenience model has proven particularly popular during the ongoing pandemic and this model will be a particular focus for the group moving forward.
Hani Weiss, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim retail, commented: “2020 has been very remarkable in terms of the opening of stores. We have opened more than 51 stores and we are targeting a little bit more than that this year. We are working very actively. We have a really busy year ahead. Today we stand at 358 stores, my target is by the end of 2021, we will have 450 stores.”
Weiss also commented on the shift from business needs to consumer needs and how this is shaping Carrefour’s expansion plans for the future. Moving forward, the brand intends to operate multiple store formats, doubling down on supermarkets and mini-markets and integrating e-commerce offerings into their existing brick-and-mortar portfolio to offer consumers the very best of both worlds.
