ALYASRA
FEEDING KUWAIT
Alyasra is at the centre of helping to improve access to quality food produce across the GCC. We speak to Mohamed Samir, Group CEO of Alyasra, to learn more Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Harry Parker When it comes to the food and beverage industry, Kuwait has a very rich culture with around one restaurant for every 100 people. It is a prominent sector, and alongside it exists a keen nature for innovation in the field; you will find a lot of local concepts that were created in the country that have been adopted by the rest of the region.” Mohamed Samir, Group CEO of 64 | EME Outlook issue 45
Alyasra and orator of the opening statement, works at the centre of the giant that is Kuwaiti food and drink. “When you start to consider the food and beverage industry in Kuwait you have to take into account before, during and after COVID-19,” Samir tells us. “The past two years have been difficult, many restaurants have suffered from the lockdowns, but there has been some positive phenomena such as retail distribution and a dynamic market change towards online delivery. “Food e-commerce will remain an ever-growing space, with the increase of online food shopping and rising trends such as the demand for 30-minute deliveries.”
DECADES IN THE GCC Established more than three decades ago, Alyasra started delivering to the retail and foodservice industry, and over the years the company has reinvented itself time and again to stay ahead of the competition. The group has two primary businesses, the first of which is in the food and beverage industry, and the second in the fashion retail sector. In the apparel retail space, Alyasra operates as a franchise holder for many well-known labels in different categories, boasting premium brands like Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, MaxMara and DKNY to name a few. It also runs a watch and jewellery division across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
