GMG, a family-owned holding company, has confirmed its plans to expand its health-related business further as the industry transforms. The conglomerate’s health vertical is on track to expand its retail footprint in the UAE by over 40% towards the end of 2022.
GMG’s health business is gearing up for a surge in consumer demand for quality health and wellbeing products and services. The company’s health portfolio currently includes prominent homegrown concepts like Supercare Pharmacy, Good Health, and Arabella Pharmacy. Supercare is a healthcare, lifestyle, and pharma care company that has established a presence in the UAE for over 40 years. Good Health is a more recent pioneer in herbal remedies and dietary supplements, while Arabella Pharmacy provides natural, organic health products.
“The healthcare industry in the UAE and the wider Middle East region is transforming at a rapid pace, with consumer behavior shifting towards preventative care. Through our diversified portfolio of health concepts, GMG is ensuring that we take proactive steps to fulfill growing consumer needs while inspiring good health and wellbeing. With our expansion, we are continuing to contribute to the development of the UAE society, in line with its national ambition of building a world-class healthcare industry,” said Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG.
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health industry has experienced a shift from curative to preventative care, with more consumers actively changing their approach to fitness and wellbeing. A recent industry report suggests that healthcare expenditure across the GCC will touch $89 billion by 2022. Another global survey revealed changing consumer habits, with 62% of individuals saying that they have made significant lifestyle changes towards improving their healthcare. Approximately one in three say they are eating healthier food, while 28% say they have increased their exercise frequency during the pandemic.
GMG’s first foray into the health and pharma industry was in 1980 when it launched the Al Khayyam Pharmacy to improve access to medicine in Dubai, UAE. A decade later, Al Khayyam Pharmacy was rebranded to Supercare Pharmacy, and its reach gradually expanded across the UAE. The conglomerate introduced its homegrown concept Good Health in 1992 and relaunched Arabella Pharmacy this year.