Géant to focus on expansion, collaboration, sustainability in 2023

February 9, 2023 | By Rupkatha B

Grocery retail chain Géant, now part of GMG, will focus on three key areas including expansion, collaboration and sustainability as part of its growth strategy in 2023.

Géant plans to open 20+ stores in the UAE in 2023. Currently there are over 11 Géant Express convenience stores across Dubai, and two Géant Hypermarkets in Dubai Hills Mall & Al Khawaneej Walk. Two new Géant Express stores opened in Marina Quays and Nshama Town Square this week itself. It has also launched its first supermarket in the UAE at Citylife Al Jurf in Ajman. In addition to expanding its brick-and-mortar presence Géant offers home delivery via local delivery platforms.

“By keeping communities and customers at the heart of everything we do we’ve been able to create a model that provides convenience and easy access to our shoppers. From the contemporary layout to the unrivalled variety of fresh selection of food items and competitive prices to our customer-friendly and knowledgeable staff our Géant Express stores promise and deliver nothing but exceptional quality,” said Marc Laurent, President, Retail – Consumer Goods at GMG.

Sustainability is a major goal

Going beyond expansion Géant has achieved several business milestones over the past 12 months, sustainability-centric initiatives being a key one.

In July 2022 Géant reinforced its commitment to the UAE’s single-use plastic-free agenda with tangible in-store enhancements. Customers can purchase packaging alternatives including jute and woven bags. The brand has also partnered with key vendors in waste management, water consumption packaging and recycling spaces to extend its sustainable offerings in-store.

In addition, Géant also committed to become a more inclusive entity by supporting the integration of students of determination into the workplace in partnership with the Al Noor Centre of Students of Determination. Géant has launched the “Work Program” which offers Al Noor students an opportunity to do task-based workdays at its stores.

Collaborating to grow

In another big move in October 2022 Géant partnered with Dubai-based vertical farm Bustanica which is Emirates Crop One’s first vertical farm. As part of the collaboration Bustanica supplies a new range of high-quality leafy greens to all Géant outlets across the UAE. Géant has also partnered with Veggitech and Dibba Bay to offer customers a wide range of sustainably sourced products under the fresh food category.

On the other hand, GMG and Silal, part of ADQ, have signed a memorandum of understanding to drive collaboration in the food sector by connecting consumers directly with farmers. Through this agreement, GMG Consumer Goods division’s food retail portfolio, which includes Géant, Franprix, Monoprix and Monop will support up to 1,100 farms contracted with Silal to bring fresh local produce to consumers directly sourced from local farms. The first phase will cover over 30 product categories and will initially be available at Géant supermarkets.