Union Coop has recorded solid profit gains in the fiscal first half, thanks to its strategic expansion and enhanced shopping experience.

The company’s net profit after tax increased 6.4 per cent year-on-year to AED173.6 million (US$47.2 million). Its total income reached AED1.158 billion, including AED1.031 billion from retail sales, AED88 million from real estate, and AED39 million from other sources.

The cooperative’s customer base also grew significantly, with new customers up 30 per cent and online sales up 24 per cent.

“In the first half of this year, we expanded our footprint with the opening of one new mall and three new stores, in Al Khawaneej, Nad Al Sheba, and Rukan Community, designed to the highest standards to cater to a wider audience,” said Mohamed Al Hashemi, Union Coop’s CEO.

During the period, the company also enhanced the shopping experience through its ‘Scan&Go’ services ‘Check&Go’ facilities, enabling faster and more convenient checkouts.

Union Coop is one of the largest consumer cooperatives in the United Arab Emirates. The company operates 22 hypermarkets, three malls (Al Barsha Mall, Etihad Mall and Al Warqa City Mall) and two grocery chains (Mini Coop and Coop), according to its website.