Union Coop reports higher revenue, operational flexibility
Profit before tax surged to Dh348 million, marking an 18 per cent rise compared to Dh297 million in 2023. These strong financials reaffirm Union Coop's strategic transformation journey, reinforcing its position for sustained growth and expansion, thereby re-affirming its position as the industry leader.
In 2024, Union Coop doubled down on its digital transformation efforts to improve retail innovation and digital adoption. The retailer's smart app recorded 203K users by year-end, reflecting an improving digital presence and enhanced consumer reach. Additionally, the Tamayaz loyalty programme expanded to total 1,029,881 cardholders, strengthening customer engagement, retention, and satisfaction.
Union Coop remains steadfast in its corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments, allocating Dh19.5 million to social, educational, security, and charitable programmes across Dubai. This ongoing effort underscores the cooperative's dedication to fostering community well-being and promoting a sustainable development model.
Mohamed Al Hashemi, Union Coop's CEO, commented on the company performance: "Our strong 2024 financial performance, with profit before tax reaching Dh348 million - an 18 per cent increase from the previous year—demonstrates our unwavering commitment to creating long-term shareholder value. The remarkable revenue growth across retail and other business segments underscores our ability to adapt to market dynamics and seize new opportunities. By embracing digital transformation, strengthening customer engagement through initiatives like the Tamayaz loyalty program, and upholding our social responsibility with Dh19.5 million allocated to community initiatives, we are ensuring sustainable success and a meaningful impact on the communities we serve."
Looking ahead, Union Coop remains committed to expanding its market presence, leveraging technology, and further enhancing customer experiences. The cooperative's forward-thinking strategies and community-driven approach will continue to drive long-term sustainable growth in the evolving retail landscape of the UAE.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
New licensing options, FDI surge power DMCC's growth
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2025, adding more than 1,100 new companies to its global business district as it capitalised on rising foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and the launch of new licensing structures tailored to global investors. The new additions lift DMCC's total membership close to 26,000, reinforcing its status as a leading hub for trade, technology and investment. The growth was fuelled by heightened demand from overseas markets such as the United Kingdom, Türkiye and China, which together accounted for some of the highest registration gains in recent years. The UK saw a 23 per cent increase in company numbers to nearly 2,200, Türkiye registered a 22 per cent rise to about 700 firms, and Chinese membership climbed almost 10 per cent to nearly 1,000. These gains align with Dubai's position as one of the world's top destinations for FDI inflows, with DMCC contributing 15 per cent of the emirate's annual total. Two new licensing categories — Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and Holding Company licences — have emerged as a major draw for investment firms, family offices and multinational corporations. The SPV licence offers a flexible vehicle for asset holding, capital raising and cross-border structuring, while the Holding Company licence enables centralised oversight of regional operations and portfolio companies. Both are designed to accommodate a broad range of investment strategies, from private equity to high-growth venture capital, making DMCC a preferred jurisdiction for structuring international investments. Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman and chief executive officer of DMCC, said the results reaffirm the appeal of its business model. 'With more than 1,100 new companies joining in the first half of the year — driven by robust growth from China, Türkiye, and the UK — DMCC is now rapidly approaching 26,000 member companies. We are intensifying our focus on high-growth sectors while expanding our ecosystems, service offering, and physical infrastructure to support the next wave of innovation-led investment,' says Ahmed bin Sulayem The licensing reforms have also strengthened DMCC's role as a hub for high-growth industries. The DMCC Crypto Centre saw a 38 per cent year-on-year increase to more than 700 companies, bringing the total number of technology firms in the district to over 3,300. Notable entrants include and Animoca Brands, which set up their first regional offices in the free zone. DMCC also announced the construction of Crypto Tower, a 17-storey landmark in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) that will house blockchain incubators, an AI innovation floor and specialised financial services. In addition, DMCC is developing a new quantum technology ecosystem — DMCC Quantum — aimed at positioning Dubai as a gateway for advanced computing investment. These moves build on the free zone's expanding role in Web3, artificial intelligence, gaming and blockchain applications. Beyond technology, DMCC remains a key player in commodities trade. The Dubai Diamond Exchange, which now hosts over 1,350 companies, marked the milestone of one billion carats traded through the UAE over the past five years. The launch of the DMCC Water Centre and a strategic partnership with AQUA-INDEX to create the world's first water-backed digital asset token illustrate DMCC's push into emerging commodities and sustainability-linked investment. The free zone's international expansion strategy is also delivering results. In Southeast Asia, DMCC appointed Hawksford as its international sales partner in Singapore to enhance market penetration. In China, partnerships with Beijing Innovation Service Hub and Beijing Chaoyang CCPIT are expected to deepen trade and investment flows. Real estate development underpins DMCC's ability to accommodate FDI-driven growth. In Uptown Dubai, the free zone broke ground on two new Grade A commercial towers offering 62,000 square metres of office space, as well as Mercer House, a luxury twin-tower residential project featuring Dubai's first private urban beach club. In JLT, DMCC and Signature Developers began construction of W Residences by Marriott International, further enhancing the district's mixed-use appeal. Deputy CEO and chief operating officer Feryal Ahmadi said the results stem from DMCC's long-term planning. 'From real estate to technology and trade, every layer of our district is designed to meet global demand. As we move into the second half of the year, we will continue to expand our services, accelerate infrastructure delivery and unlock new opportunities for growth across all sectors, ' says Ahmadi. With a growing global footprint, sectoral diversification, and infrastructure pipeline, DMCC is positioning itself to capture the next wave of FDI across emerging and established industries, while reinforcing Dubai's role as a magnet for global capital, investment experts said. The strong first-half results follow a record-breaking 2024, when DMCC attracted over 2,000 new companies and launched initiatives such as the DMCC Sustainability Hub.


Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai property sales hit $14bn in July as off-plan demand and rents surge, top developers revealed
Dubai's residential real estate market continued its upward trajectory in July 2025, with Betterhomes reporting strong growth in both sales and leasing, driven by robust off-plan demand and an influx of new tenants. Drawing on data from Property Monitor and its own transactions, the firm highlighted significant month-on-month gains in volumes, values, and rental activity. Average price per square foot: AED1,893 ($516), up 3.3 per cent from June Total transactions: 18,816, up 20.5 per cent month-on-month Total sales value: AED51.3bn ($13.96bn), a 10.6 per cent increase Off-plan sales: 65 per cent of transactions, up from 62 per cent in June The top-performing villa communities in the month were The Wilds, Grand Polo Club & Resort and The Oasis. Meanwhile, the top-performing apartment communities were Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay and Damac Riverside. Average Dubai Land Department sale prices July 2025 Apartments: AED1.99m ($541,500) Townhouses: AED3.25m ($884,200) Villas: AED9.7m ($2.64m) Betterhomes' own portfolio showed higher average apartment prices at AED2.33m ($633,800) but lower villa prices at AED6.1m ($1.66m). Christopher Cina, Director of Sales at Betterhomes, said: 'The continued strength of Dubai's off-plan sector shows enduring confidence in the city's long-term growth. We're seeing demand from both seasoned investors and first-time buyers eager to secure properties before completion'. Top 5 off-plan developers by sales value Sobha Realty: AED2.7bn ($735.6m) Emaar: AED2.6bn ($708.4m) Binghatti: AED1.7bn ($463.1m) Damac: AED1.6bn ($435.6m) H&H: AED1.5bn ($408.8m) Top 5 title deed developers by sales value Emaar: AED5.9bn ($1.61bn) Aldar: AED4.6bn ($1.25bn) Damac: AED2.5bn ($680.6m) Nakheel: AED1.7bn ($463.1m) Sobha Realty: AED1.5bn ($408.8m) Renting in Dubai Leasing activity also strengthened in July, with Dubai residential market recording 39,251 rental transactions, a 3.4per cent month-on-month rise. New contracts made up 40 per cent of these deals, up from 37 per cent in June, indicating an influx of fresh tenants into the market Al Khail Heights registered the highest apartment rental growth at 1.5 per cent month-on-month, reaching an average of AED67,500 ($18,400) annually, while Jumeirah led villa rental growth with a 4.2 percent increase to AED498,000 ($135,600) per year. Across Dubai, average rents by property type were: Apartments: AED72,000 ($19,600) Townhouses: AED172,000 ($46,800) Villas: AED255,000 ($69,500) Betterhomes recorded a 10 per cent month-on-month increase in tenant leads in July, reflecting continued demand across its rental portfolio. Average leasing prices within the company's transactions stood at AED141,000 ($38,300) for apartments, AED190,000 ($51,700) for townhouses, and AED368,000 ($100,200) for villas. Dubai real estate outlook 2025 Betterhomes says the combination of rising sales volumes, strong off-plan absorption, and robust rental demand reaffirms Dubai's standing as a leading global property hub. With investor confidence high and fresh tenant inflows accelerating, the company expects momentum to carry through the remainder of 2025.


Arabian Business
3 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Emirates NBD's zero-fee trading hits $1.4bn in first year
Emirates NBD is celebrating one year since the launch of its zero-transaction-fee trading initiative for UAE-listed equities on its award-winning ENBD X digital wealth platform — a move that has boosted market participation and broadened access to local investments. Since its debut on 26 August 2024, the initiative has delivered impressive results: More than 300,000 commission-free trades executed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), and Nasdaq Dubai AED5bn ($1.36bn) in total trade volume Access to more than 150 UAE-listed equities via the ENBD X app Emirates NBD trading The zero-fee model has attracted a growing base of first-time investors, young professionals, and everyday savers, helping democratise wealth creation and align with the UAE's 'We the UAE 2031' strategy to deepen capital market development and enhance financial inclusion. ENBD X integrates banking, investment, and advisory services into one seamless digital experience, offering real-time trading, instant onboarding, and customisable price alerts for timely market decisions. Marwan Hadi, Group Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, said: 'We are pleased to see an outstanding response to the zero-transaction-fee trading initiative that we launched on our digital wealth platforms, accessible via ENBD X. 'One year on, our customers have embraced purposeful investment by investing in local equities. As a leading national bank, we are proud to transform how people invest, by providing an inclusive, accessible, transparent and affordable platform, while also supporting local businesses. 'This has contributed profoundly to the long-term growth of the UAE economy in line with the vision of our wise leadership.' The initiative follows Emirates NBD's earlier launch of fractional bonds on ENBD X, underscoring the bank's commitment to innovation and broadening access to financial markets. By removing barriers to entry, Emirates NBD is positioning ENBD X as a gateway to the UAE's financial future, driving both personal wealth creation and national economic growth.