Capping a slew of expansionary moves across Qatar in 2015

Dr. Al Qahtani: “Qatar continues to enjoy a growing population and economic development and, as such, we continue to work and expand in anticipation rather than in response to what’s to come in the future”.

Making the last addition to its ever-growing network in Qatar for the year 2015, Al Meera Consumer Goods Company (Q.S.C) has announced the official opening of the Rawdat Ekdeem-Bani Hajer branch. The expansion caps a successful year for the national supermarket chain, marking its 10th branch opening in 2015 and closing a decade of Al Meera achievements and successes that have poured into customer and shareholder satisfaction. 

Serving new areas in Qatar, the Rawdat Ekdeem-Bani Hajer branch opening - the 47th addition to the successful supermarket chain in the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman - aligns with Al Meera’s strategic vision and expansion plans aimed at catering to underserved residential and commercial hubs across the Qatari territory. It also marks one of the largest branches to be launched by Al Meera this year, with the Rawdat Ekdeem supermarket area extending to 2,100 square meters and eight shops that will be offering various activities. 

Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Qahtani, DCEO of Al Meera, inaugurated the branch in presence of the company’s senior directors and managers.

Commenting on the branch opening, Dr. Al Qahtani, said: “In 2015, as in our decade-long history, our expansion and network extension strategy has been focal and carefully designed to map out key Al Meera hubs across commercial and residential centers but also, untapped areas across the Qatari territory. Qatar continues to enjoy a growing population and economic development and, as such, we continue to work and expand in anticipation of, rather than in response to what’s to come in the future.”

He added: “This ambitious and proactive strategy demands, of course, a great deal of in-depth understanding and insight into Qatar’s urban planning development challenges and opportunities. For this purpose, Al Meera continues to work in close cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to ensure that its expansionary plans and strategy are at the service of Qatari consumers and communities.”

To this end, Al Meera’s focus has equally poured into renovating and redesigning several flagship and existing branches. Across its network, the supermarket chain has deployed world-class technologies and solutions, from topnotch storage to advanced lighting systems and has continuously evolved a seamless consumer journey across touch points. 

Adding Rawdat Ekdeem branch to its chain, Al Meera was able to successfully open 10 branches in 2015 as its stores are now present in Al Thumama, Al Wajba, Al Wakra 2, Jeryan Njeima, Thakira, Muraikh, Muaither, and Al Azizia, in addition to its operation in its leased branch at the Gulf Mall.

The company’s expansion plans include the setup of 14 new stores across Qatar, located in Sailiya North, Bu Sidra, Al Wakra 3, Umm Salal Ali, Leabaib 1, Leabaib 2, Rawdat Aba El-Heran, Azghawa, Al Khor, Um Qarn, Rawdat Al Hamam, Jeryan Jenaihat, Al Sailiya and Ain Khaled. Construction works have already started on many of these aforementioned locations. In parallel, Al Meera is also exploring future opportunities in new locations, such as Rawdat Al Hamam North, Al Sheehaniya North, Madkhal al Khuraib, Rawdat Rashed, Umm Al Umd, Al Khuraitiyat and others.

Al Meera recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, offering customers a Cash Back of 10 percent of their purchase value – with each customer receiving a QAR 50 purchase voucher on every purchase transaction of QAR 500 – during the period running from November 25, 2015 through to December 4, 2015. 

It is worth mentioning that Al Meera recorded in 2014 a net sales jump from QAR 507.9 million in 2006 to QAR 2.176 billion. Moreover, net shareholder return has raised nearly 10 times more from QAR 26.1 million in 2006 to QAR 226.6 million in 2014, with earnings per share jumping from QAR 2.61 in 2006 to QAR 11.33 in 2014.