Bahrain-based BMMI Group’s fully owned subsidiary Alosra supermarket has entered into a commercial deal with Ireland’s leading food retail and wholesale company, Musgrave.

With seven stores across Bahrain and two in Saudi Arabia, Alosra supermarket is a leading grocery retailer that has been a true lifestyle partner to its customers since 1987. Established in 1876, Musgrave is one of Ireland’s leading retailers, with brands including SuperValu, Centra, and Daybreak, as well as Musgrave MarketPlace, a leading wholesale supplier to retail, foodservice and SMEs.

The deal will give Alosra the opportunity to bring in exclusive Irish products, widening its offering to include some of the European country’s best-known and loved brands. Similarly, through exporting their products to Bahrain, Musgrave has an ideal opportunity to expand their reach to another international market, helping showcase Irish products across the globe.

Alosra and Musgrave have proven to have solid brand synergy and to share similar values, including their support for the local community. For example, Alosra’s ‘Think Local’ programme supports local producers and farmers to sell their products in their stores, Musgrave also runs a Food Academy programme in conjunction with Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) where small businesses and producers are nurtured through their journey from start-up through to gaining their retail listing.

Alosra has had a longstanding interest in and a relationship with Ireland, said BMMI general manager of Food Retailing and Production, Jaffar Al Asfoor, who oversees Alosra supermarket. “The Alosra team has been travelling to Ireland frequently for years, and we have always been impressed with the quality and diversity of their offering,” said Al Asfoor.

“In fact, many members of our team have actually trained in Ireland and we have always been inspired by how passionate the Irish people are about their heritage and their food. In Musgrave, we have a like-minded partner providing a great opportunity for a taste of Ireland to come to Bahrain,” he added.   

The Alosra team also recently attended “Marketplace International” in Dublin, a unique, invitation-only event that brings together top Irish food and drink exporters and international trade buyers. Organised by Bord Bia, the trade show has a major focus on sustainability, with all participating Irish suppliers at the event being Origin Green verified members, which is a national sustainability programme.

Marketplace International was an ideal platform for Alosra to further develop their relationships with Irish suppliers who, much like Alosra, are committed to the importance of sustainability.

Furthermore, the event provided an opportunity to promote Bahrain’s thriving grocery retail sector and Alosra’s strong position in the market. – TradeArabia News Service