Dubai: Bur Dubai residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to supermarkets.
In the past month alone three major retail chains – Carrefour, Al Manama and West Zone – have opened new stores in the bustling old downtown, adding to an already wide range of choices.
“I can pick and choose from 13 supermarkets in addition to a number of small groceries within walking distance from where I live,” boasted Sheela, an Indian housewife residing on Bank Street. “The options include Spinneys, two Choithrams, Baqer Mohebi, Apsara, Maxim, Geant, two West Zones, Al Manama and now Carrefour. What more could I possibly ask for?”
“It’s so convenient to have so many good supermarkets within a stone’s throw from my apartment. I have the luxury of spreading my purchases across these outlets depending on what’s better in which place in terms of both quality and price,” said Vishal Bharadwaj, another resident of the area.
On August 21, the Carrefour hypermarket opened at the refurbished BurJuman shopping mall amid high expectations by residents of the neighbourhood.
“Bur Dubai is one of the city’s most vibrant and densely populated areas and has long demanded the presence of a full-service Carrefour hypermarket in the vicinity,” said Henri Changeux, executive regional director of Majid Al Futtaim Carrefour. He said the new outlet, spread over 5,780 square metres, will offer “everyday low prices, fresh, high-quality food products and an extensive selection of consumer durables.”
A few metres down the road, the West Zone retail chain has opened its 23rd outlet, spread over 2,700 square feet, off Bank Street. Just a few months earlier, it opened shop on Computer Street as well.
Store chief Manoj Bajaj said: “Business has been brisk ever since we opened on July 24.”
Located behind Habib Bank, the supermarket has been attracting mainly walk-in customers.
For residents at the other end of Bank Street, the Al Manama Hypermarket at the new Al Fahidi market complex has come as a welcome offering. Store manager Babu Andrew said the hypermarket was inaugurated on July 17.
