Al Meera Consumer Goods Company, a domestic retail giant, has largely shielded the negative effects of blockade by importing more than 20,000 individual items as direct replacements for those from the siege countries, according to its top official.
"Since the announcement of the blockade, Al Meera has listed over 20,000 individual items as direct replacements for those from blockading countries and continues tirelessly in this journey," its chairman Sheikh Thani bin Thamer bin Mohamed al-Thani told shareholders at the ordinary general assembly meeting.
Its international expertise led it leverage the relationships to ensure that it could maximise global supply chains, bringing several products from dozens of supporting countries, which include Turkey, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman.
The direct import from the supporting countries has been assisted by dedicated personnel and has brought about a change in the buying culture of companies.
"This has resulted in the ability to source new ranges and products as well as goods that are similar to the existing ones at lower prices -- a benefit for every consumer in Qatar," Sheikh Thani said.
By resorting to direct import, he said Al Meera has not only succeeded in securing all of the short-term needs of the country but also started to forge new long-term relationships, all whilst in the backdrop of supporting locally produced Qatari products.
As the political crisis progressed, various national institutions undertook the responsibility to assure the needs of the population are met, he said, adding amidst the closure of the land border, Al Meera emerged stronger as a national brand with an even more loyal base.
Highlighting its commitment to the local community, Al Meera ensured that locally grown vegetables were found on the majority of its shelves and supported the upscaling of locally produced milk to ensure that niche Qatari home-produced goods have visibility in its key stores.
Al Meera strengthened its collaboration with local farmers and continued to work closely with small and medium enterprises in order to allow startups to grow with it.
Under a special initiative, established in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Bedaya, it helped local producers and startups in the food industry to showcase their products in its store at Gulf Mall shopping center, thereby providing domestic entrepreneurs with a premium platform to introduce their products.
Its international expertise led it leverage the relationships to ensure that it could maximise global supply chains, bringing several products from dozens of supporting countries, which include Turkey, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Lebanon, Kuwait and Oman.
The direct import from the supporting countries has been assisted by dedicated personnel and has brought about a change in the buying culture of companies.
"This has resulted in the ability to source new ranges and products as well as goods that are similar to the existing ones at lower prices -- a benefit for every consumer in Qatar," Sheikh Thani said.
By resorting to direct import, he said Al Meera has not only succeeded in securing all of the short-term needs of the country but also started to forge new long-term relationships, all whilst in the backdrop of supporting locally produced Qatari products.
As the political crisis progressed, various national institutions undertook the responsibility to assure the needs of the population are met, he said, adding amidst the closure of the land border, Al Meera emerged stronger as a national brand with an even more loyal base.
Highlighting its commitment to the local community, Al Meera ensured that locally grown vegetables were found on the majority of its shelves and supported the upscaling of locally produced milk to ensure that niche Qatari home-produced goods have visibility in its key stores.
Al Meera strengthened its collaboration with local farmers and continued to work closely with small and medium enterprises in order to allow startups to grow with it.
Under a special initiative, established in partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce and Bedaya, it helped local producers and startups in the food industry to showcase their products in its store at Gulf Mall shopping center, thereby providing domestic entrepreneurs with a premium platform to introduce their products.
