- New Masarat Programme comes as part of Majid Al Futtaim Retail’s Emiratisation efforts in partnership with NAFIS initiative
- Participants will receive skills-based training and mentoring at Carrefour’s pioneering Retail Business School
- 2026 Emiratisation recruitment goal of 3,000 team members on track with over 1000 new hires since 2021
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 3, 2023: Carrefour, which is owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in the UAE, has launched its Masarat Programme: a bespoke growth initiative for Emirati frontliners, future team leaders, department heads and store managers. This comes alongside an announcement that the leading retailer has recruited over 1000 UAE Nationals since 2021 and is on target to achieve its goal of 3000 by 2026.
Facilitated by Carrefour’s Retail Business School, successful Emirati applicants will receive skills-based training and mentoring from Majid Al Futtaim Retail’s world-class learning partners. The new initiative is fully aligned with the UAE government’s high-profile NAFIS programme, which aims to support UAE nationals who choose to pursue a career in the private sector as part of the federal Projects of the 50 series.
Commenting on the initiative, Bernardo Perloiro, Chief Operating Officer – GCC at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, said: “Masarat will offer a direct route to success for thousands of talented and ambitious Emiratis, including development, training and upskilling opportunities. In partnership with NAFIS, our Masarat Programme is an exciting and supportive stepping stone from which 3000 new national colleagues will be able to launch and pursue successful careers within retail by 2026. We remain committed to supporting the growth of all Carrefour colleagues, recognising that our people remain our greatest asset.”
The Masarat programme will be split into five key stages, beginning with frontline roles and moving through to district management level to enhance cross-functional expertise. As well as critical skills development specific to each role, participants will be rewarded with financial incentives and opportunities to advance their career. This demonstrates Majid Al Futtaim Retail’s increasing prominence as a global talent and innovation magnet – having launched its business school four years ago.
Since the launch of the NAFIS programme in September 2021, Carrefour has onboarded more than 1000 Emirati employees across its operations – with UAE nationals currently representing more than 6 percent of its total domestic workforce.
Majid Al Futtaim’s efforts and long-term commitment to Emirati representation in the private sector has already been recognised by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in 2021. Looking forwards, the Masarat Programme is one of several initiatives focused on the professional advancement of local talents in the UAE workplace
About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is a diversified lifestyle conglomerate spanning 16 countries across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The company employs 46,000 people representing 114 nationalities and welcomes 600 million customers to its shopping malls, communities, retail and entertainment destinations each year.
With owned assets valued at US$18 billion, Majid Al Futtaim has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the region. The company is committed to becoming Net Positive in water and carbon by 2040.
About Carrefour
Carrefour was introduced to the region in 1995 by UAE company Majid Al Futtaim. The Company is the franchisee for Carrefour in over 30 markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. To meet the growing needs of its diverse customer base and communities, Carrefour offers omnichannel customer experiences tailored to the needs of the modern consumer. Through its innovative physical and digital customer services, Carrefour provides access to an unrivalled choice of quality products, at unbeatable value for the 770,000 customers it serves daily. Committed to supporting local economies, producers and suppliers in the communities it serves, Carrefour resources over 80 per cent of its products from the region.
