Dubai government’s track record of creating and backing new standards in established markets (think airlines, hotels and golf courses) demands new projects have the right to be noticed. Aswaaq, the supermarket-meets-community-center concept, is particularly interesting. It promises to beat Union Co-Op (seen as Dubai’s cheapest) on price, yet carry a first rate range of world class products. Its stores will feature wide aisles and non-basic shopfits – when traditional supermarkets are working hard to maximize every square foot of selling space.
Its goals are admirable – local employment, social responsibility, house and encourage new small businesses – but at a time when food prices are going through the roof, and the existing supermarket retailers upgrading to international standards, it will have to work hard to counter claims it will be a government-subsidized side show. It wants to open stores in new communities; it is hoped private sector rivals will be given fair access to the bidding process.
(And can the copywriter on the Aswaaq website go easy on the exclamation marks. Kipp counted 16, and the first store is yet to open.)
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