Groceries & Hypermarkets Business Group

The Groceries & Hypermarkets Business Group, established by Dubai Chamber of Commerce in February 2023, represents the full spectrum of food retail operations in Dubai, from traditional neighborhood groceries to large-format hypermarkets and supermarkets. This comprehensive business group serves as a unified platform for retailers operating across all modern and traditional grocery formats, collectively representing a sector projected to reach over AED31 billion by 2026. With traditional groceries forecasted to grow at 3% CAGR and supermarkets at 4% CAGR during 2021-2026, this sector plays a fundamental role in Dubai's retail economy and food security infrastructure.

The organization brings together diverse retail operators—from independent grocery stores serving local communities to multinational hypermarket chains—under a common framework focused on sector development and competitiveness. Members benefit from collective representation when engaging with government entities on regulatory matters, access to comprehensive market intelligence covering the entire grocery retail spectrum, and participation in initiatives addressing shared challenges such as supply chain efficiency, food safety compliance, and evolving consumer shopping behaviors. As fresh food sales are anticipated to grow at 4.9% CAGR between 2022 and 2027, the business group provides strategic leadership in positioning Dubai's grocery retail sector for sustained growth.

The Groceries & Hypermarkets Business Group facilitates dialogue between retailers of all sizes, suppliers, and regulatory authorities, ensuring that policy frameworks support both traditional groceries and modern retail formats. This inclusive approach strengthens the overall retail ecosystem while preserving the unique value propositions of different retail formats within Dubai's dynamic marketplace.

Mission & Mandate

The Groceries & Hypermarkets Business Group serves as the comprehensive representative body for food retailers across all formats, from traditional neighborhood groceries to large-format hypermarkets, advancing the collective interests of Dubai's grocery retail sector.

• Comprehensive Representation: Ensure representation of grocery retailers across all formats and scales in policy discussions with government entities, regulatory authorities, and industry stakeholders

• Sector Competitiveness: Address policy matters and industry challenges affecting grocery retail operations, including licensing requirements, operating hours regulations, promotional guidelines, and zoning considerations

• Supply Chain Optimization: Facilitate improved supply chain efficiency, supplier relationships, distribution networks, and cold chain management across traditional and modern retail formats

• Standards & Compliance: Promote adherence to food safety protocols, hygiene standards, labeling requirements, and consumer protection regulations throughout the grocery retail sector

• Innovation & Modernization: Support adoption of retail technologies, omnichannel strategies, e-commerce platforms, and digital payment systems appropriate to different retail formats and business scales

• Market Development: Share market intelligence, consumer insights, and industry trends to support strategic planning and business development across the grocery retail spectrum

• Collaborative Initiatives: Foster cooperation among retailers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies while coordinating promotional calendars and sector-wide initiatives with Dubai Tourism and Department of Economic Development