ESM is proud to launch a new weekly series, Notes From Africa, which will bring you the latest retail, consumer goods and food and beverage stories from across the African continent. Past editions can be found here.
In this week's report:
Egypt: Elmenus Gets Support From Former Just Eat CEO
Egyptian food delivery business Elmenus has received an undisclosed capital injection from David Buttress, the former chief executive of Just Eat. The operation is set to accelerate Elmenus’s growth over the next 18 months and help the company recruit 4,000 new delivery personnel. Elmenus aims to enter in the Middle East and North Africa’s online food delivery market, which was worth more than $3 billion in 2020. According to USDA, the Egyptian retail food sector is worth $24.7 billion. While online retail platforms are becoming increasingly popular as internet penetration increases, traditional outlets still dominate the market, representing 98.7% of total outlets and around 80% of total sales.
Malawi: Mzuzu Dairy Expands Production With New Investment
Malawian dairy company Mzuzu Dairy Limited has injected K75 million (€ 80,000) in new machinery, to double its daily processing capacity to 5,000 litres. With this investment, the company will increase the number of its raw material suppliers to 5,000 dairy farmers, from 2,000 previously. Mzuzu Dairy, which produces fresh milk and yoghurt, is seeking to launch a number of new products on the market. It launched its operations in November 2019.
Uganda: Harris International Unveils New Sugar Free Apple Juice Brand
Harris International, one of Uganda’s leading food and beverages manufacturers, has unveiled Oner Apple No-Added Sugar, a new sugar free version of its Oner Apple Juice brand. Through this innovation, the company is seeking to meet the needs of nutrition and health-conscious consumers. The move will also enable the company to tap into the fast-growing juice market, which has been driven by urbanisation, income growth, and a rising middle class. Founded in 2005, Harris International operates under the brand Riham, and also produces malt drinks, soft drinks, biscuits and energy drinks.
South Africa: United Exports Receives €3m Expansion Fund
United Exports, a leading exporter of fruits in South Africa, has received a € 3 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank (FMO). The company will use the fund to accelerate its capex projects and support the expansion of its blueberries orchards. It plans to add up 150 new permanent jobs at the peak picking season this year. As well as blueberries, the company is one the main producers of subtropical and exotic fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, pineapples and plums.
Kenya: Carrefour To Launch 10th Outlet
French retailer Carrefour is set to open its 10th outlet in Kenya through its regional franchise operator Majid Al Futtaim (MAF). According to local media, the new store will expand its 1,800 square feet outlet in the Nextgen Mall. The project is a part of the company’s strategy to expand, in the context of stiff competition from retailers such as Naivas and Quicksmart. The company entered in Kenya in 2016.
South Africa: Spur Corporation Posts Drop in Half Year Revenue
South African restaurant franchise Spur Corporation has reported a 29.5% slump in sales for the half-year ended December 2020, to R2.9 billion (€163 million), down from R4,1 billion (€228 million) registered in the same period in 2019. The fast-food chain operator attributed its poor performance to the COVID-19 restrictions, as well as the prohibition of alcohol sales and lower consumer incomes. During the period under review, the company’s franchised restaurants recorded a decline in sales of 31%, while revenues from international restaurants dropped by 17.3%. Spur Corporation has over 600 outlets across South Africa, the rest of Africa, Mauritius, Australasia and the Middle East.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Espoir Olodo. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
