Grand Mart signs deal to open hypermarket in Chinese mall

By Joey Aguilar

Staff Reporter

Dragon Mart has signed an agreement with Grand Mart to open a 5,000sq m hypermarket within the Chinese mall, its logistics manager Yang Qi told Gulf Times.

Qi said the agreement, signed by Dragon Mart  Doha president Zhenguo Huang and Grand Mart Group of Companies managing director Ismail Chakkarath, was aimed at making the commercial area “more functional and attractive”.

Dragon Mart,  occupying an area  of 50,000sq m at Barwa Commercial Avenue, has earlier announced that it will be accepting non-Chinese businessmen to operate in the mall. At least 20,000sq m will be used initially for Dragon Mart’s possible opening either this month or next month.

“This relationship will complement synergies of both the groups, offering a higher service level to our customers,” said Vivek Verma, general manager at Grand Mart. “This relationship opens a door towards next level in retailing.”

Qi noted they were not planning to open a hypermarket inside the mall due to reports that a well-known retail outlet would  operate near the area. However, it did not push through.

“Nothing happened until Grand Mart came to us and showed its willingness,” he said.

Qi noted that 80%  of the total Chinese tenants had come from Dragon Mart Dubai while 15% were local Chinese businessmen in Doha.

Some shops will  showcase non-Chinese products.

“It maybe few but at least we have something to offer that Chinese may not have,” he said.

Most of the tenants who came from Dubai are  busy decorating their shops while  preparing for the grand opening, according to Qi. He admitted that the mall opening  was delayed but would be announced soon.

“We are pushing our tenants to finish their decorations as soon as possible,” he stressed.

Aside from stalls, Dragon Mart officials are planning to build a logistics village to serve their clients. Dragon Mart will hire about 500 to 800 workers for its first year of operation.

Shops would sell a variety of products  like furniture, decoration and building materials,  kitchenware and  electronic devices. Tailoring shops are also expected to operate.