No need to reach for your wallet or phone, just smile to make a purchase at Carrefour

In a first for biometric payments in the UAE Carrefour has implemented the Face Pay face verification platform for payments. Customers to Carrefour stores in Deira and Amsaf can now make purchases by smiling at a payment terminal instead of pulling out a phone or card using Face Pay.

“Carrefour is ever keen to introduce new technologies that enhance the customer experience whilst finding solutions that can eliminate friction,” said Bernardo Perloiro, Chief Operating Officer – GCC at Majid Futtaim Retail. “Face verification will make it easier and more convenient for our customers to check out efficiently without having to reach for their wallets. This safe, seamless payment method only takes a few seconds, and we are excited to be one of the first retailers to be rolling this out across the UAE.”

Among Carrefour’s other tech-driven innovations are the launch of Carrefour City+ at the end of 2021 to provide a one-of-a-kind experience merging physical and digital realities. The region’s first check-out-free store is powered by artificial intelligence from start to finish with cameras and machine learning that follow customers’ movements and track purchases in real-time.

Beyond tech, sustainability is a priority

Mindful of local sourcing Carrefour sources over 80% of its products from the region as part of its commitment to supporting local economies, producers and suppliers in the communities.

A good example is the launch of Carrefour BIO a year ago focused on organic and locally sourced products. The concept is replete with a showcase for local business, an indoor hydroponic farm, a sit-down café and more.

In addition, Carrefour has also rolled out electric motorbikes in multiple markets such as Kenya and the UAE. These have the power and range to travel long distances with lesser impact on traffic and come equipped with temperature-control technology for food deliveries whilst also reducing emissions involved in product transportation.

Importantly, in the UAE Carrefour has seen an 80% drop in single-use plastic bag consumption since the government’s blanket ban came into effect during the summer of 2022. The brand plans to roll out similar initiatives across the region to raise awareness around sustainable practices across the supply chain from partnering with local farms and switching to recyclable packaging to encourage the use of reusable bags.

Business milestones and growth outlook for 2023

Despite existing challenges Carrefour is recording significant growth over multiple territories and verticals. In Pakistan, investment figure recently hit PKR11 billion, while Carrefour Egypt witnessed a 300% increase in online orders.

Another milestone has been the transformative success of Carrefour private brand range which provides locally sourced products at competitive prices benchmarked against global brands. Spanning over 5,000 products, regional penetration has increased exponentially due to changes in consumption and purchasing habits. For example, sale of Carrefour branded soups and starters category has soared by 929% in the UAE, makeup and accessories have increased by 207% in Jordan and fabric care has registered a 182% growth in Qatar.

Looking ahead Carrefour plans to strengthen presence in its core markets with plans to open several new stores in 2023. It will scale its B2B vertical ‘Carrefour Business’ servicing the HoReCa market across the GCC and launch further in-store live cooking and ready-to-eat products and experiences.

Rupkatha B