Jamba Juice, the Californian-based snack and smoothie seller, is to open another five outlets in Dubai.
An additional 74 outlets are planned across the GCC over the next 10 years. Jamba Juice’s first outlet was opened in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall on November 20, by Landmark Group, and has received an average of 300 customers per day.
The group believes that the region’s young population, coupled with new health preferences among consumers, will be a boon for the US chain.
“We will open on Dubai’s Al Wasl Road in early February,” said Shobit Tandon, the business head of Jamba Juice for the GCC. “Followed by the Oasis Centre, Souq Madinat, near the Al Ghurair Centre and finally we won the bid for the new Kite Beach site.
“With the diabetes problem here and the millennial grouping being the largest spending sector we see a huge opportunity that cuts across demography and is a relevant food option all day long from breakfast through to dinner.”
The rapid growth of fast food retailers in recent years has stoked health concerns. Despite the quick closure of the Organic Cafe, a health food outlet in Dubai, there has been a spread of juice bars that claim to be healthier than other offerings.
“We see an increase of healthy food-service options,” said Natalia Gorzawski, a research analyst for Euromonitor International. “The Organic Cafe closed because operating a shop in Dubai Mall is very costly. Pinkberry, Kcal, Jungle Juice, Pulp Juice Bars are increasing here but coming from a low level and concentrated in areas with many expatriates from western countries and high-income earners.”
She added that media coverage of the high prevalence of diabetes in the UAE had helped to shift consumer preferences.
ascott@thenational.ae
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