CO-OPS post AED 3.3 bn in sales in 2007

Co-operative Societies (CO-OPS) posted AED 3.29 billions in sales in 2007, an increase of 19% compare to the sales of 2006, according to the Consumer Co-operative Union (CCU).

''The capital of CO-OPS rose to AED 526 million in 2007 an increase of AED 29.3 millions over 2006, and shareholders countrywide increased 8 % to 34885 compared to the previous year,'' Majid Rahma Al Shamsi, Chairman of CCU told the 23rd General Assembly Meeting of the Union held in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

He said the number of Co-operative outlets in the UAE have been grown to 81 branches in 2007 to cover highly populated areas and 10 more new branches are in progress that are 4 branches under Sharjah Co-op, 3 branches under Union Co-op, 2 branches under Al Dafrah Co-op and 1 branch under Emirates Co-op.

He pointed out that all CO-OPS and Consumer Co-operative Union have contributed AED 73 million to charity work and social activities over the last 23 years (1984-2007).

He said that more than 660 items are supplied by Consumer Co-operative Union to all CO-OPS in UAE, among them 170 items are under the private label CO-OP brand name which are with high quality and equal to brand leaders available in market but priced reasonably at 10% - 30% cheaper than different brand leaders. WAM

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A Food Law for Abu Dhabi, which lays the foundations to take better care of consumer health by enhancing food safety and quality standards, was launched on Thursday.

The law, expected to come into effect three months after it is published in the Official Gazette, stipulates stringent measures to ensure food safety and quality.

From the producers, to storage and transportation to the retailers and caterers, the law covers all stakeholders of the food chain and defines their rights and responsibilities. It lays out penalties for violators and imparts power to the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) to implement these.

The law, in line with the government's strategy to achieve excellence in all fields, was launched in a ceremony at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce. Various stakeholders from the public and private sector where present at the launch. Source

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Al Futtaim Automall opens Abu Dhabi branch

Al Futtaim Automall, the market-leading used car division of the Al-Futtaim group, has opened its expanded state-of-the-art Automall showroom in the Mina region of Abu Dhabi.
The opening comes at a time when the company has posted record year-on-year growth with projected sales expected to increase 30% in 2008.

Responding to increased customer demands, the company has expanded its existing showroom to 1400 sq meters from 400 sq meters. Automall, which has seen its sales increase 35% in 2007, can now display a total of 100 fully reconditioned vehicles in the enhanced showroom in Abu Dhabi.

Valued customers joined Automall General Manager, Mike Brightmore, Automall National Sales Manager, Mr. Mahesh Rohra and branch manager Mr. Samir Afonso for the official opening.

During the opening Michael Brightmore stated:


'The emirate of Abu Dhabi is witnessing phenomenal growth over the last couple of years. The Mina region in particular has been developing in to a highly respected automobile hub and Automall's presence has been well received since its opening in 2005.'



Commenting on the increasing popularity of the used car market, Mr Brightmore added: 'Used car purchases the world over are an economical means of owning a car that you really want, at a price you can afford. With a used car, customers do not have to compromise and can use age and condition as a way of fitting their dream car to their budget. The UAE is quickly establishing itself as an important destination for the used car segment with the total value of the segment estimated to be at Dhs50m. This has resulted in Automall recording 35% growth in 2007 compared to 2006.'

The expanded outlet in Abu Dhabi, which is one of the biggest used car retailing showrooms in the capital, will feature all world renowned brands including Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Volvo among others.

All Automall outlets boast a team of extensively trained staff providing professional buying advice to customers and ensuring a hassle free experience. In addition, customers can avail of the Automall advantage i.e. 99 point checks, mileage certificates, fully reconditioned vehicles, two years extended warranty, air miles and much more.

Automall currently has seven showrooms in the UAE - four in Dubai, one in Abu Dhabi, one in Sharjah and one in Ajman. (AME Info)

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Import of eggs to curtail high prices

The operators of supermarkets and hypermarkets in the capital are negotiating with the poultry farms outside the country to seek supply of eggs.

“We are negotiating with poultry farms in Australia and Holland and, hopefully, we will get egg supplies in about 10 days,” said, Bejoy Pulicken, Advertising and Marketing Manager in Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society (ADCS).

Pulicken added, “The eggs we import will be sold at cost price. We are trying to bring our own supplies directly, instead of depending on the local suppliers alone. This way, we will be able to give our consumers a much feasible price.”

The price of imported eggs will be less as compared to the current prices, he added.

To provide the customer a feasible discounted price on all products, the ADCS will organise a 20-day consumer festival from March 1, in which all products of the ADCS will be on promotion. “We expect that it will bring some solace to the consumers,” Pulicken added.

An Emke group representative said, “We are also negotiating with suppliers from outside the country to meet the shortage of eggs. As of now, we are selling a tray of 30 eggs at Dh15-16 (this is contrary to cafeteria owners claims), but when we import eggs, the prices will be a little high. We are negotiating with Australian poultry farms.”

A tray of 15 eggs in the market is available at Dh11, which was Dh6-7 around six months ago, while the 30-egg tray is available at Dh22 which was previously available at Dh12-16, said, Jabeer K.P, a cafeteria owner near Hamdan Street.

“Due to these increased prices we are unable to buy a carton of 360 eggs. However, since it is not available in the market, we have to buy trays of 15 or 30 eggs by paying higher prices,” Jabeer added.

Meanwhile, the restaurants and cafeterias have increased the prices of boiled eggs due to rise in prices. “We have increased the price of a boiled by 50 fils and are selling at Dh1.50 an egg,” said Abdullah, a cafeteria owner on the Electra Street. Source

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