Metro and Makro Cash & Carry, a sales division of Metro, a leading international retailing and trading group, is set to open its first store in Cairo on June 30.

Located in Salam City, the store will be the first of Makro’s much anticipated wholesale stores in Egypt bringing the retailer’s international presence, up to 31 countries, said a top company official in the presence of Minister of Trade and Industry, Rachid Mohamed Rachid.

Makro’s regional operating officer for the Mena region, Jean-Luc Tuzes said “We not only see a great future for our self-service wholesale business in Egypt, but also a fruitful and sustainable co-operation with the Egyptian economy for a win-win success.'

'Our store opening in a few days is just the beginning. If all pre-conditions are met accordingly, Makro Egypt sees a potential for 12 more stores in the medium-term and more beyond,' Jean-Luc revealed.

'We are convinced that our business model will be well accepted by the professional customers in Egypt and we are very much looking forward to working together with the people, the businesses and the authorities in Egypt,' he added.

The store which spans nearly 10 000 sq m will offer exclusive access to business professionals, housing over 20,000 food and non-food products all under one roof.

'The store which will sell in bulk will exclusively tailor their services to the needs of their diverse customer base covering traders, hospitality professionals and business companies. By focusing on creating the most competitive prices for professionals core needs, Makro will ensure, professionals are able to offer a greater and more diverse selection of products and services at even more affordable prices,' Jean-Luc explained.

Elaborating on the many benefits that Makro’s store will offer to business professionals, Francois Oliver, managing director, Makro Egypt said for the first time, business professionals will be able to access all of their core needs under one roof.
'Makro will have extended business hours, opening from 6am to 12pm in the summer and from 6am to 10pm in the winter, a step specifically taken to accommodate to the working hours of professionals, as well as tailor packaged product options to suit their needs,' he noted.

'All of this clearly helps our professional customers to strengthen their own business as well as their competitiveness and thereby to improve their future development. Growing sales and earnings of our customers are the indicators for the success of Makro,' Oliver said.

'Nonetheless, it is not only our customers who will benefit from our presence: we are also a close partner of the local economy in general. We source around 90 per cent of the goods offered in our Egyptian stores from local producers and suppliers. Thereby, we give significant stimuli to the Egyptian economy,” he added.

As the first store in Cairo and Egypt, the launch of Makro in Salam City, will be a crucial step forward in the development of the way businesses interact with each other and their customers in the Cairo area.-TradeArabia News Service