Dubai’s sail-through supermarket offers a whole new anchor store experience
The world’s first sail-through supermarket has been launched in Dubai.
Yacht crews, Jet-Skiers and speedboat passengers will be able to shop from an Aqua Pod anchored at sea and offering hundreds of items.
On sale will be fresh and dried foods, hot and cold snacks, beverages, cosmetics and medicine. A skiff will also deliver orders to sun lovers at nearby Kite, Jumeirah Public and Al Sufouh beaches.
“With Dubai’s stunning coastline being enjoyed by millions of people each year, it is a natural next step to cater to our customers with relevant products in a locale where they are not being served,” said Miguel Povedano, executive regional director for Carrefour UAE at Majid Al Futtaim Retail.
“It’s exciting to know that we can reach our customers anywhere, whether it be land or sea, and we can’t wait to delight them with this world-first service.”
The custom-built sailthrough outlet will be open six days a week from 10am to 6pm, subject to weather.
Placing an order is simple. Jet-Skiers and passengers in small sailing craft can sail up to the Aqua Pod and order at a window. Customers on larger vessels, or those on the beaches, can phone through their order and a skiff will deliver their items within 45 minutes.
The Aqua Pod was designed and built by Aquatic Architects Design Studio in Dubai.
The system was created with an eco-friendly focus and is powered by rechargeable batteries. A sea bin attached to the exterior of the pod sucks any floating debris into its holding tank, with the refuse safely disposed of on shore.