Convenience Store Circle K To Open 28 New UAE Outlets In 2015

Canadian convenience store operator Circle K has announced plans to open 28 new stores in the UAE in 2015 as part of a wider expansion plan across the Middle East.

The new stores will complement its existing 38 outlets across the country, a statement said.

Fahmi Al Shawa, CEO, Circle K Arabia said: “These new outlets are expected to address the demand for convenience stores that can help cater to the needs of consumers in the UAE.”

The company also confirmed that it aims to open 55 new branches in total across the Middle East this year, to increase its foothold and offer better ervices to its customer-base in the region.

The company’s regional outlets will also introduce new products, including those that have already been launched by Circle K partners in the USA, Hong Kong and Japan.

In terms of customisation, Circle K has started to offer fresh on-demand food service where customers can custom-order their meals such as sandwiches and salads.

The company said it will soon be offering an in-store bakery service, and is also planning to launch a new Circle K loyalty programme to offer more customised services.

Owned by Alimentation Couche Tard, a Canadian-listed convenience store retailer, Circle K has partnered with Convenience Arabia for its Middle East operations. It operates more than 13,000 convenience stores around the world.

The Middle East, particularly UAE, has seen a spurt in the growth of international and local retailers, to keep pace with growing consumer demand.

The UAE’s retail sector is estimated to grow from Dhs114 billion in 2012 to reach Dhs151 billion this year, up around 32.9 per cent, according to a report from Dubai FDI, the investment development agency in the Department of Economic Development.

According to Dubai FDI, the boom in the country’s retail sector is aided by high disposable incomes, retail real estate expansion, a steady inflow of international retailers and population growth. among other factors.