Spinneys

Spinneys is a supermarket chain widely recognized in the Middle East, with a significant presence in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The company was founded in 1924 by Arthur Rawdon Spinney, a British military officer who initially started the business in Alexandria, Egypt. Spinney’s early operations focused on importing British goods to regions under the British Mandate, including Palestine, where the company established a provision department for Palestine Railways and opened branches in major cities such as Haifa, Jerusalem, Cairo, and Damascus.

The company expanded further post-World War II, opening stores in Beirut in 1948 and Baghdad, which was later relocated to Dubai in 1961.

Spinneys officially entered the Dubai market in 1962 with its first supermarket in Al Nasr Square, where its first customer was the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, then Ruler of Dubai.

The chain quickly grew in the UAE, opening additional stores in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Jumeirah, and other emirates. The company became known for introducing frozen meat and other imported products, contributing to changing consumer habits in the region.

Over the decades, Spinneys has evolved into a premium grocery retailer offering a wide range of fresh and imported goods, catering to the growing expatriate and local populations.

Currently owned by Dubai-based Al Bwardy Investment, founded by Ali Albwardy, Spinneys operates more than 70 stores across the GCC and neighboring countries.

It serves over 100,000 customers daily, emphasizing quality, variety, and sustainability. The company has also launched initiatives such as the Farmers Club and Local Business Incubator to support regional producers and communities.

In 2024, Spinneys celebrated its 60th anniversary in the UAE and successfully listed on the Dubai Financial Market, highlighting its status as one of the region's most established and trusted supermarket brands.