Carrefour: dwtc foods shows provide procurement springboard for regional growth

Food & FMCG

Carrefour: dwtc foods shows provide procurement springboard for regional growth

A top-level delegation of procurement officials from retail giant Majid Al Futtaim Retail regional franchisee of Carrefour has descended on Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to meet local, regional and international suppliers and source a diverse range of food products at three specialised food shows running until Thursday 29 October.

The delegation, which is also hosting suppliers at an exclusive Carrefour Hosted Buyers Lounge, has identified DWTCs trio of niche food events The Specialty Food Festival, Sweets & Snacks Middle East and SEAFEX as key platforms to access a contingent of more than 600 local, regional and international food suppliers from over 60 countries participating at the three events.

As a brand, our value proposition is to offer the best value for money. We always negotiate best prices and amazing promotions. Also, we work to be the most local of all the international retailers, said Miguel Povedano, Senior Vice President UAE & International Merchandise Co-ordination, Majid Al Futtaim Retail. Differentiation is the key to success in the retail sphere and we have identified these highly-specialised food shows as strategic platforms to meet as many suppliers as possible for products suited to key customer groups. Weve developed a procurement strategy based on analysis from sales information and were sourcing products and ranges suited to all our customer groups. Were also exploring healthy, gluten-free and organic products that fit with the evolving purchasing habits of our customers, added Franck Boissinot, VP UAE Marketing and Digital, Majid Al Futtaim Retail. With an objective to double the number of its UAE stores in the next five years, Povedano revealed Carrefour is leveraging the three food events to engage suppliers and share the chains aggressive expansion plans.

We are winning market share in the UAE and our business is performing very, very well, said Povedano. Our investment in the Hosted Buyers Lounge area at the food shows underlines our commitment to nurse relationships, open new business avenues, develop our product range and meet more local and GCC suppliers it is a procurement opportunity to work more closely with both existing and new business partners.
Our programme with DWTC allows us to meet the right suppliers and partners to ensure our customers can choose from the most diverse range of products available in the market, added Boissinot. Importantly, the programme covers all shows relevant to the products available in Carrefour stores from food products to technology solutions.

With DWTCs three specialised food events hosting their largest-ever pool of exhibiting companies and more than 15,000 influential buyers, senior procurement delegations from Jumeirah Group, Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Flight Catering, and many others are joining Majid Al Futtaim Retail on multi-million dollar product sourcing excursions at this weeks events.

Open 10am-6pm from 27- 28 October and from 10am 5pm on 29 October 2015, DWTCs trio of niche food shows are for trade and business professionals only. General public and persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted entry. Registration is available at the show upon proof of trade status.