Union Coop

Union Coop, formerly known as Union Cooperative Society' is an Emirati consumer cooperative located in the emirate of Dubai, UAE. It was founded in the year 1982 by the then Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which has now been restructured.
It is currently the largest Consumer Cooperative in the United Arab Emirates with 27 hypermarket branches and three shopping malls located in the emirate of Dubai.
Union Coop’s services include establishing hypermarkets, Malls, Commercial Centers and managing cooperatives within the UAE.
Union Coop currently has branches located in – Al Warqa, Al Quoz, Al Tayy, Nad Al Sheba, The Pointe – Jumeirah, Abu Hail, International City, Mamzar, and Al Mizhar, Umm Suqeim, Al Barsha, Mirdif, Al Wasl, Al Aweer, Jumeirah, Al Mankhool, Al Twar, Al Hamriya, Al Rashidiya and Al Satwa, Jumeirah 1, Al Barsha South and Hessa Street. Union Coop has 27 branches with recent ones being in motor city, Nad Al Hamar and Al Nahda.
History
Union Coop was established in the year 1982 with 27 Shareholders and a capital of AED 3.6 Million with an aim to enhance the social and economic condition of its members and serve the local community where it operates.
In the year 1984, Union Coop opened its first branch in AL SATWA, an area in Dubai which is known for its South Asian community.
Timelines
1984 – First Union Coop hypermarket opened in Al Satwa area of Dubai.
1984 – Opens hypermarket branch in the residential area of Al Rashidiya within Dubai Municipality’s Central market.
1986 – Opens a new hypermarket branch within Dubai Municipality’s Central market in Al Hamriya.
1988 – Opens hypermarket branch in Al Twar, Dubai on Al Nahda road which connects old city to the new one.
1990 – Opens hypermarket branch in Sheikh Khalifa Street in AL Mankhool, Dubai.
1996 – Opens hypermarket branch in Jumeirah.
2003 – Opens hypermarket branch in AL AWEER, in within the Dubai Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in the Ras Al Khor area.
2008 – Opens hypermarket branch in AL WASL, a densely populated residential and commercial area in Dubai.
2008 - Opening of ‘Ajman Markets Cooperative Society’ hypermarket branches in areas of Nuaimiya, Al Rumailah 2 and Al Ittihad St - Al Jurf 1, Ajman, UAE.
2010 – Opening of Etihad Mall and a Union Coop hypermarket Branch within, in MIRDIF area of Al Khawaneej St - Dubai.
2011 – Opens second mall in Al BARSHA, Dubai by the name ‘Al Barsha Mall’ and the second largest Union Coop Hypermarket facility within.
2015 – Opens first branch with ‘smart trolley’ assistance facility in UMM SUQEIM, Dubai.
2015 - Union Coop launches Smart Mobile Application to match the changing times and market.
2016 – Opens multiple projects in the f8orm of Mini Coop grocery store branch in Al Mizhar, hybrid grocery concept ‘Coop’ store branch in Al Mamzar and a hypermarket branch in ‘The Pavilion’ International City, Dubai.
2016 – Union Coop signs contr2act to manage Umm Al Quwain Coop.
2017 – Opens hypermarket branch in Abu Hail, Dubai. A strategic move to r8each larger segment of mixed population in the emirate.
2017 - Launches Online shopping store.
2018 – Posts largest profit figures since 1982.
2018 – Opens second ‘Coop’ concept Store in The Pointe area of Palm Jumeirah, Dubai.
2018 - Launches First-ever electronic self-help device in the Middle East at ‘Al Barsha Mall’.
2019 - Opens the 17th Union Coop hypermarket branch in Nad Al Sheba – 2, Dubai and thus serving areas of2 Nad Al Sheba 1, 2 and 3.
2019 - Launches Electronic Share trading platform for Union Coop Shareholders.
2020 – Opens Coop Factory wholesale warehouse facility in Al Tayy, Dubai.
2020 - Opens a Commercial Center with a Coop Store in Al Quoz, near Sheikh Zayed Road.
2020 - Opens its Third Mall ‘Al Warqa City Mall’ with the Union Coop hypermarket branch near Tripoli Street, Al Warqa - 3, Dubai.
2021 – Opens 21st Branch on Hessa Street, Al Barsha, Dubai.
Subsidiaries
Coop Stores
Union Coop at present has 3 Coop Stores in areas of Al Quoz, Jumeirah – The Pointe and Al Mamzar, Dubai. Coop Stores are hybrid grocery stores that house similar shopping experience of that of a hypermarket but in a smaller environment.
Al Tayy
Union Coop opened a Wholesale Warehouse in Al Tayy area in Dubai, which is located near the Emirates Road, making it accessible to residents of Dubai, Sharjah as well as Ajman.
An extension of Union Coop’s retail is Coop Factory, which is a whole sale business that allows buyers to get discounts on bulk purchases.
Mini Coop Al Mizhar
Mini Coop is a smaller version of the regular hypermarket. At present, Union Coop has only 1 Mini Coop branch located in Al Mizhar, Dubai.
Private Label
Union Coop’s private label includes more than 2000 Food and Non Food products under the names – Union, Euro Farm, Euro Care and Great Value.
Projects
The current projects undertaken by Union Coop include - First Hebiah Center in Motor City, Al Nahda Branch (Second Al Nahda), Nad Al Hamar Centre, Dubai Silicon Oasis Centre, Investment in a Commercial Center in Wadi Al-Safa5, Staff Housing Project / Al Quoz, Warsan Staff Accommodation, Al Khawaneej Commercial Centre, Margham Branch Project / Dubai Al Ain Street (Mohammed Sultan Bin Markhan), Jumeirah Ci8ty Mall and Hatta Land.
Operations
As of June 2021, there are 27 Union Coop Hypermarkets and Coop stores and 3 Malls operating across Dubai, UAE. Union Coop’s 3 malls are located in areas of – Al Warqa City Mall in Al Warqa, Al Barsha Mall in Al Barsha 2 and Etihad Mall in Al Muhaisnah First, Dubai.
Union Coop operates one outlet outside Dubai namely ‘the Umm Al Quwain Coop Society’ in Al-Salamah area in the Emirate of Umm Al-Quwain.
CSR
Union Coop spent approximately AED 274 Million in corporate social responsibility activities from year 2011 to 2022. Through CSR initiatives and contributions, Union Coop supports sectors such as Government, Education and Non-Government.
Union Coop is involved in campaigns with Dubai Police, Dubai Autism Center, Dubai Judicial Institute, Supporting National Service Employees, Charity Establishments.
Achievements
Recognized by the CSR Label in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives for the 9th year in a row, 2019.
Honored by the Personal Status Court for participation in the ‘Super Winter Merchants’ initiative, 2020.
Honored by Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for its extended support towards the initiatives managed by the foundation, 2021.
Recognized at the GovDX Leadership Summit & Awards 2022.
Awards
References
Retailing in the United Arab Emirates
Retail companies of the United Arab Emirates