Investing in a new look pays dividends to Dubai groceries
SEVERAL CHANGES BEING MADE IN GROCERY STORES TO SPORT NEW LOOK AND FEEL IN EMIRATE
Grocery owners in Dubai who renovated their shops based on new regulations have reported positive feedback in the form of sales and customer experience.
New criteria for licensing groceries were announced by the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector in the Department of Economic Development in 2016 to have a uniform identity for all groceries, which were given till the end of 2018 to meet the new standards.
There are more than 2,800 groceries in Dubai as of 2015 and the numbers are growing.
A similar scheme was implemented in Abu Dhabi under the baqala (corner store) system nearly five years ago.
Abdul Nasser from India, who complied with the new standards, said he is pleased with his store’s “brand new” look. “The signage is different, the glass, everything, including the shelf is different. I feel very comfortable inside the shop now. It’s not as congested as before,” said Nasser, who has been operating his grocery in Karama for the past decade.
Nasser said the recommended spacing between shelves (not less than 850mm) benefits both shopkeepers and customers in terms of ease of movement.
Basheer C.P., who also owns a grocery in Karama, said sales are better since the changes.
“I am happy and my customers are happy because everything is visually appealing. Before there was not enough space for everything. Now it looks like a proper supermarket. My sales ■ ■ are a little better now, maybe by 10 per cent,” he said.
Shaikh Rafi Ulla, a regular customer at Basheer’s grocery, said: “I’m happy because now it’s easier to find the stuff I need. The shop also looks clean and it’s not dark anymore.” ■
However, some shop owners feel financing the renovation could become a financial burden if not planned properly.
Nasser and Basheer said they had to invest between Dh57,000 and Dh65,000 to renovate their groceries, but it could be done ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ through careful planning. “As soon as I learnt about the new regulation 18 months ago, I saved money for a few months so I would have funds once the renovation started. Otherwise, I would not be able to go for it at one go,” Nasser said.