Leading family-owned holding company GMG has confirmed plans to further expand its health-related business as the industry undergoes an unprecedented transformation. The conglomerate’s health vertical is on track to expand its retail footprint in the UAE by more than 40% by the end of 2022.
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health industry has experienced a paradigm shift from curative to preventative care, with more consumers actively changing their approach to fitness and wellbeing. According to a recent industry report, healthcare expenditure across the GCC will touch $89 billion by 20221. Another global survey recently revealed changing consumer habits, with 62% of individuals saying that they have made significant lifestyle changes towards improving their health2. Approximately one in three say they’re eating healthier food, while 28% say they have increased their exercise frequency during the pandemic.
GMG’s health business is in turn gearing up for a surge in consumer demand for quality health and wellbeing products and services. The company’s health portfolio currently includes prominent homegrown concepts like Supercare Pharmacy, Good Health, and Arabella Pharmacy. Supercare is a leading healthcare, lifestyle, and pharma care company with a legacy of over 40 years. Good Health is a more recent pioneer in herbal remedies and dietary supplements, while Arabella Pharmacy provides natural, organic health products.
Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG, said: “The healthcare industry in the UAE and the wider Middle East region is transforming at a rapid pace, with consumer behavior shifting towards preventative care. Through our diversified portfolio of health concepts, GMG is ensuring that we take proactive steps to fulfill growing consumer needs while inspiring good health and wellbeing. With our expansion, we are continuing to contribute to the development of the UAE society, in line with its national ambition of building a world-class healthcare industry.”
GMG’s first foray into the health and pharma industry was in 1980 when it launched the Al Khayyam Pharmacy to improve access to medicine in Dubai, UAE. A decade later, Al Khayyam Pharmacy was rebranded to Supercare Pharmacy, and its reach gradually expanded across the UAE. The conglomerate introduced its homegrown concept Good Health in 1992, and relaunched Arabella Pharmacy this year.
Over the last several years, GMG has been expanding its global operations with a diversified portfolio of brands that now covers industries such as sports, food, and health. Operating across the GCC region and internationally, GMG has introduced more than 90 brands into the Middle East while also creating reliable and quality-driven homegrown brands.