Alshaya Group, a leading international retail franchise operator, has teamed up with Mastercard to expand its acclaimed loyalty programme, Aura.
This partnership will introduce an Aura co-branded credit card in multiple markets, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, over the next two years. The initiative aims to bolster the retail sector across the GCC region and offer additional benefits to Aura members.
The region’s retail industry is thriving, with increased consumer spending. Between 2021 and 2026, the value of non-food retail sales in the GCC is projected to grow by approximately $39 billion, driven by favorable demographics, improving macroeconomic factors, and a booming tourism industry. Through this partnership, consumers will enjoy added value and extra benefits when shopping across Alshaya’s 70+ brands, spanning dining, fashion, beauty, and homeware.
John Hadden, CEO of Alshaya Group, stated,
“At Alshaya Group, our customers are at the heart of our strategy. We are always seeking new ways to enhance benefits and services in our stores and online, with a focus on digital payments. We are incredibly proud of our game-changing Aura loyalty programme, which has received global recognition, and we look forward to expanding its pivotal role for our customers in partnership with Mastercard.”
Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development, EEMEA at Mastercard, commented,
“Mastercard is enabling the retail sector to leverage innovative payment channels to reinvent the ways people pay for their purchases. We are harnessing the power of partnerships and are proud to partner with Alshaya Group to bring seamless and secure payment solutions to consumers. We look forward to enhancing the shopping experience across the GCC through the Aura loyalty programme.”
Alshaya Group’s diverse portfolio includes some of the world’s most renowned brands, such as Chipotle, which recently opened in Kuwait and will expand to Dubai later this year. Launched in 2022, Alshaya’s Aura loyalty programme boasts 8.3 million members across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, making it one of the most downloaded loyalty apps in the Middle East.
Source: AETOSWire
