Qatar-based Al Meera Consumer Goods Company has opened its 47th branch, marking its 10th branch opening in 2015.

The Rawdat Ekdeem-Bani Hajer branch opening - the 47th addition to the supermarket chain in Qatar and Oman - aligns with Al Meera’s strategic vision and expansion plans aimed at catering to underserved residential and commercial hubs across the Qatari territory, a statement said.

It also marks one of the largest branches to be launched by Al Meera this year, with the Rawdat Ekdeem supermarket area extending to 2,100 sq m and eight shops that will be offering various activities.

Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Qahtani, DCEO of Al Meera, inaugurated the branch in presence of the company’s senior directors and managers.

“In 2015, as in our decade-long history, our expansion and network extension strategy has been focal and carefully designed to map out key Al Meera hubs across commercial and residential centres but also, untapped areas across the Qatari territory,” Dr Al Qahtani said.

“Qatar continues to enjoy a growing population and economic development and, as such, we continue to work and expand in anticipation of, rather than in response to what’s to come in the future.”

He added: “This ambitious and proactive strategy demands, of course, a great deal of in-depth understanding and insight into Qatar’s urban planning development challenges and opportunities. For this purpose, Al Meera continues to work in close cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning to ensure that its expansionary plans and strategy are at the service of Qatari consumers and communities.”

To this end, Al Meera’s focus has equally poured into renovating and redesigning several flagship and existing branches. Across its network, the supermarket chain has deployed world-class technologies and solutions, from top-notch storage to advanced lighting systems and has continuously evolved a seamless consumer journey across touch points.

Adding Rawdat Ekdeem branch to its chain, Al Meera was able to successfully open 10 branches in 2015 as its stores are now present in Al Thumama, Al Wajba, Al Wakra 2, Jeryan Njeima, Thakira, Muraikh, Muaither, and Al Azizia, in addition to its operation in its leased branch at the Gulf Mall.

Al Meera recorded in 2014 a net sales jump from QR507.9 million ($129 million) in 2006 to QR2.176 billion. Moreover, net shareholder return has raised nearly 10 times more from QR26.1 million in 2006 to QR226.6 million in 2014, with earnings per share jumping from QR2.61 in 2006 to QR11.33 in 2014. – TradeArabia News Service