GMG, a global well-being company retailing, distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport, food and health sectors, has announced its foray into the food retail business with the acquisition of the UAE operations of the French retailing major Géant and exclusive rights to expand Géant operations in the Middle East.

 

A company owned by the Baker family, GMG is today a leading group affiliated with the world’s most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands into its markets. 

 

Géant is a part of Groupe Casino, a French retailing giant with a turnover in excess of EUR35 billion. 

 

Under a strategic pact with Urban Foods by Dubai Holding, GMG has acquired Géant’s current UAE retail footprint comprising a total of 18 hypermarket and supermarket locations across the country, aid the company in a statement.

 

It also includes the new openings featuring some of Groupe Casino’s other brands such as Franprix and Monoprix, to which GMG will also have exclusive rights to expand, it added. 

 

Deputy Chairman and CEO Mohammad A. Baker said: "This acquisition is a milestone in our history as we venture into the food retail category. In doing so, we are able to cover the entire consumer journey from food manufacturing and distributing to retail."

 

"Moreover, the diverse portfolio of Groupe Casino’s supermarket brands will allow us to cater to all categories of consumers, from the price-conscious to those desiring more premium and specialty products," he added.

 

Last year, GMG had announced the redesign of its business into four verticals: GMG Sports, GMG Food, GMG Health, and GMG Consumer Goods. The latest acquisition falls under the GMG Consumer Goods vertical, bringing the total workforce to over 700 employees. 

 

Meanwhile, GMG continues to grow its original food brands Farm Fresh and Klassic, as well as being a distributor for popular food brands such as McCain, Mama Sita’s, and Shan. 

 

"Our acquisition comes at a time when the Middle East’s food economy is undergoing a major transformation," remarked Baker.

 

"Consumer preference has shifted to locally-sourced food items and sustainable food options, while governments are simultaneously exploring ways to enhance food safety and promote food security in line with their national development visions. In the coming years, our intention is to cover the entire food consumption chain from farm to fork," he added.

 

The Géant deal follows another high-profile GMG retail acquisition of Royal Sporting House in 2020. 

Recently, GMG also acquired the rights to manage, distribute, and retail the Nike brand in Egypt and Iraq starting in Q3 2022, contributing to a diversified sports portfolio that already covers over 400 stores across the MENA region and Asia.