ABU DHABI // The capital's food standards authority appears to have its work cut out if it is to convince the owners of all 1,300 small groceries of the need to modernise their shops.
The plans, part of the Emirate's Vision 2030, was announced at the weekend, and includes a complete redesign and renovation of all groceries to bring them up to a new code.
"We are looking at new groceries and implementing best practices, standards and trying to use technology as much as we can, while also not losing all the benefits grocery stores offer now," said Mohamed al Reyaysa, the communications director of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA).
But the initial reaction from the owners of small and medium-sized groceries has been sceptical.
Shajahan A, the supervisor at Fatima Supermarket on Airport Road, said shoppers were happy with existing stores. His shop does not deliver and handles all its accounts with pen and paper.
"There's no need to improve things," he said. "It's good enough already."
Khalid D, who runs Al Mashoor Foodstuff in Bateen, said there was nothing he would change about his small cornershop.
"I don't want any more space, and computers would just slow us down," he said.
But the authority disagrees, and wants to bring all shops, no matter how content, or tiny, in line with international standards.
Mr al Reyaysa said that while some shops "position themselves for 2011" others "are the same as they were 20 years ago".
The hope, he said, is to improve the quality of service, as well as the safety of consumers.
Despite strict guidelines, stores in the city continue to break them. Cleaning detergents and bleach are shelved next to edible goods, food past its expiration dates remains on shelves, and perishables are stored at inappropriate temperatures.
According to Mr al Reyaysa, the plan will encourage new technology to help workers monitor the expiration and freshness of food.
The effort follows a study that found that residents spend Dh1billion a year at small groceries, almost a third of the total amount of all spending on food and beverages.
It found they stayed open for an average of 16 hours a day, and served about 150 customers from all backgrounds.
Most stores are located in residential and work areas, and appealed to customers because of their proximity, delivery services, and credit options.
According to Sidik Pem, who runs Al Karama Flower Grocery, in Karama, about 70 per cent of his business is deliveries.
With two phone lines, and a paper and pen book-keeping system, Mr Pem insists it would be too expensive to computerise his operation. "I'm happy enough with how things are," he said.
But ADFCA wants to persuade grocers that the new standards are not just for customers' benefit.
"Owners and operators will have better and more lucrative business opportunities," said Rashed Mohamed al Shariqi, its director general.
The authority plans to set up model stores in the coming months to illustrate the new look to shop owners and the general public, and Mr al Reyaysa insisted they will work closely with shopkeepers in implementing the plan.
mdetrie@thenational.ae
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Pool B Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jebel Ali Dragons, Dubai Knights Eagles, Dubai Tigers
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
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Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
