logo
BIM Expands Presence in Southern Morocco with Second Laayoune Store

BIM Expands Presence in Southern Morocco with Second Laayoune Store

Morocco Worlda day ago

Doha – BIM Morocco has opened its second store in the city of Laayoune, strengthening its presence in southern Morocco. This new location builds upon the company's first store in the city, which opened in October 2022 and marked BIM's position as the first modern retail chain to establish operations in Laayoune.
The new store is part of BIM's commitment to improve access to consumer goods across Morocco. According to the company, it aims to meet customer expectations throughout all Moroccan cities by offering a range of products at competitive prices.
Over the past six months, BIM Morocco has expanded its network with new stores in several cities including Tahanaout, Taroudant, Oulmes, Tamallalet, Tassaltante, Nador, and Jorf Elmalha.
'We are proud to strengthen our presence in Laayoune, where BIM was the first enseigne in the sector of grande distribution to establish operations,' said Ahmet Fevzi Çalışkan, CEO of BIM Morocco. 'This opening is part of a broader approach aimed at strengthening access to quality products in all 12 regions of the Kingdom.'
Çalışkan added that each new location represents 'an opportunity to stimulate the local economic fabric, promote socio-economic inclusion, and contribute to creating sustainable jobs, in perfect alignment with our commitments to the communities where we operate.'
BIM's expansion comes amid increasing competition in Morocco's proximity discount retail sector. The Turkish hard discount leader is facing new challengers including Kazyon, Supeco, and Marjane City.
In response, BIM has accelerated its store openings, with 39 new locations in the first quarter of 2025 alone, bringing its network to 828 proximity points.
The company's first Laayoune store was located in the city center and covered an area of 364 square meters.
At that time, Haluk Dortluoglu, Chairman of BIM Morocco's Board of Directors, stated, 'We are proud to be the first player in the modern distribution sector to set up in Laayoune. Our objective is to be closer to all Moroccans, in order to facilitate access to high-quality products at accessible prices.'
In its development strategy for the Moroccan market, the group plans strong organic expansion with an average of 100 new store openings per year. To streamline its logistics processes, BIM is investing in new regional warehouses.
The company currently operates four logistics centers in Morocco, with plans to increase this number to support the pace of new store openings.
To maintain its competitive edge, the chain applies the hard discount model: small-sized stores, essential products at low prices, supply predominantly of private labels or Turkish brands, and rigorous management of operating costs.
The company offers around 900 products, of which 59% are private labels, adapted to the needs of the local market.
It's worth noting that in May 2021, the Turkish group sold 35% of its shares in BIM Morocco to Blue Investment Holdings, a structure managed by Helios Investment Partners LLP funds.
Morocco is the only market where the Turkish group operates with a local partner, unlike in Egypt where the local subsidiary is 100% owned by BIM.
Read also: BIM Opens Logistics Hub in Marrakech As Morocco-Turkey Trade Expands Tags: BIM MoroccoLaayoune (southern Morocco)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sahara: French Senate Affirms Support for Moroccan Sovereignty in Rabat Talks
Sahara: French Senate Affirms Support for Moroccan Sovereignty in Rabat Talks

Morocco World

time2 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Sahara: French Senate Affirms Support for Moroccan Sovereignty in Rabat Talks

Doha – French Senator Christian Cambon reaffirmed his country's firm support for Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces during a meeting on Thursday in Rabat with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The visit marked a continuation of high-level exchanges between the two nations, following French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Morocco in October 2024. Cambon, who heads the France-Morocco friendship group in the Senate, led a delegation described as 'important' and 'diverse,' with members from different political backgrounds. He stressed the 'longstanding' and 'fruitful' dialogue between the two countries, noting the group's 'unwavering support' for Morocco's position on the Western Sahara dispute. 'The 2024–2025 period was marked by many positive developments,' Cambon said after the meeting. He pointed to Macron's visit as a milestone where France declared its support for Morocco's territorial integrity. Cambon said the delegation's visit aimed to contribute to writing 'a new chapter' in Moroccan-French relations, as envisioned by King Mohammed VI and President Macron. He also called for the reactivation of the Morocco-France interparliamentary forum, last held in Paris in December 2019, to boost bilateral cooperation on legislative affairs. The French lawmaker cited several areas of joint interest, including the expansion of Morocco's high-speed rail line, the construction of Africa's largest seawater desalination plant near Rabat, and the agreement between Royal Air Maroc and Airbus to expand the national airline's fleet. On renewable energy, Cambon framed Morocco's experience and model as 'inspiring,' saying both countries can cooperate on shaping a joint vision for Africa's energy future. His statements come just months after a high-profile visit by French Senate President Gérard Larcher, who in February became one of the highest-ranking French officials to visit Laayoune. Speaking after a morning meeting with Bourita in Rabat, Larcher said Paris' position on the Sahara is 'non-discutable' and made clear that the French-Moroccan relationship is built on 'a deep history and friendship.' Later that evening in the southern Moroccan city, he labeled Morocco's southern provinces as 'a success model for the entire Sahelo-Saharan zone.' He credited the French Senate with pushing for clarity on the issue since 2007 and asserted that support for Morocco's autonomy plan is now 'acquired.' For him, France's new perspective on the Western Sahara dispute and the evolution of the French position is 'an obvious fact, a primary truth.' 'This obvious fact has undergone a long maturation process,' he said. 'France's support is not the result of a governmental policy—it is the position of all institutions of the Republic.' He described Morocco's development efforts in Laâyoune as remarkable, pointing to infrastructure, social investments, and sustainable development projects. He also expressed France's willingness to share its experience in decentralization and strengthen cooperation at the local level. Algeria reacted with anger to Larcher's visit. Days after his trip, Algeria's Council of the Nation, the country's upper house of parliament, announced it was suspending ties with the French Senate. The Algerian government had already condemned France's July 2024 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty and recalled its ambassador in protest. Algeria also criticized the February visit by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati to Laayoune and Dakhla—another first for a high-level French government official. Tags: French Senate Morocco visitMorocco France RelationsWestern sahara

Morocco's Industrial Exports Reached $43.8 Billion in 2024
Morocco's Industrial Exports Reached $43.8 Billion in 2024

Morocco World

time11 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco's Industrial Exports Reached $43.8 Billion in 2024

Rabat – Morocco's industrial exports have multiplied more than fivefold since the early 2000s, Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour said on Wednesday. He made his remarks during a discussion session, exploring the theme 'Macroeconomic Policies, Investment Climate, and Employment Dynamics in Morocco.' The event is part of a national conference organized by the thematic working group responsible for evaluating public policies related to investment and employment in the House of Councillors. During the presentation, the minister said industrial exports reached around MAD 398 billion ($43.8 billion) in 2024, equivalent to 88% of the country's total exports, pointing out that the foreign direct investment targeting the industrial sector has tripled over the last decade. The FDI reached MAD 16.5 billion ($1.8 billion) in 2024, noting that this reflects the 'growing confidence of international investors in the Moroccan economy and its status as a prime investment destination.' Mohamed Taamouti, Director of Economic Studies at Bank Al Mahghrib, stressed the significant efforts Morocco made in the investment sector, noting that Morocco allocates about 30% of its GDP to investment. The number is compared to a global average of about 25.2%, demonstrating a clear commitment to developing and strengthening economic and social infrastructure. Investment, accelerated growth, and job creation are major challenges for both developed and developing countries, Taamouti said. For his part, the director of Studies and Financial Forecast Adil Hidane emphasized the importance of a good business climate to achieve sustainable economic growth, stressing the central role of investment in both the public and private sectors. Morocco has made significant progress in improving the business climate in recent years, Hidane said, highlighting King Mohammed VI's vision that has enabled the progress of the industry and raised investment attractiveness as a national priority. Among the sectors Morocco is boosting is the automotive industry. Earlier this month, Minister Mezzour said that the country's goal is to increase production to reach 107,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2025. He said that Morocco's automotive production stands at 700,000 vehicles, with an ambition to produce one million vehicles by the end of the year. Between 2014 and 2018, the sector created at least 116,000 jobs. Morocco is the first automotive manufacturer in Africa. Tags: Industrial Acceleration Planindustrial activity

Lamine Yamal named visa ambassador for FIFA World Cup 2026
Lamine Yamal named visa ambassador for FIFA World Cup 2026

Ya Biladi

time11 hours ago

  • Ya Biladi

Lamine Yamal named visa ambassador for FIFA World Cup 2026

FC Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal has been appointed the new global ambassador for Visa ahead of the FIFA World Cup 26, which will take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. To mark this symbolic milestone and build excitement around what promises to be the biggest FIFA World Cup ever, Visa will offer exclusive experiences to Visa cardholders. These include meet-and-greet opportunities with Lamine Yamal in Barcelona and signed memorabilia ahead of the 2026 tournament, according to a press release. «Lamine represents the future of football: bold, promising, and full of fresh energy», said Tarek Abdalla, Visa's Chief Marketing Officer for the CEMEA region. «At Visa, we are constantly looking for new ways to connect with fans through the power of sport. As Visa's FIFA World Cup ambassador, Lamine reflects the spirit and passion of the beautiful game, inspiring millions of fans worldwide». «Football is more than a sport, it's a source of joy and a way to bring people together across the world. I'm proud to team up with Visa to share that passion and inspire others through sport», said Yamal. A football prodigy, Lamine Yamal continues to captivate the global stage with record-breaking performances. Known for his agility, speed, and vision on the field, the Moroccan-Spanish player is widely regarded as a rising global star and a symbol of a new generation in football.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store