Our pedigree goes back for more than four decades, incorporating such milestones as the introduction of Burger King, Coco-Cola, Domino’s Pizza, La Brioche and Sketchley to the UAE
We first started operations in 1973 with the establishment of Universal Trading, one of the first licensed trading companies to open in the UAE. It operated brands including AEG Household Appliances, Europcar car rental and Renault vehicles.
Names launched in the UAE during the 1980s, 90s and the new millennium included Burger King, Domino’s Pizza and El Torito Restaurant and La Cantina bar. An important milestone was the establishment of the first Gulf Coca-Cola bottling plant in Al Ain in 1990.
Milestones in our history
1996
Opening of the UAE’s first Domino’s Pizza outlet in Abu-Dhabi
1994
Burger’s King’s first branch in UAE
1990
Opening of Coca-Cola’s Bottling Plant in Al-Ain
1985
first Sketchley laundry franchise from the UK in Abu-Dhabi
1984
Opening of Abu-Dhabi’s first French bakery
1981
Al Ahlia Prisunic Opening first branch in Abu-Dhabi
Team spirit and the sharing of knowledge and intelligence are defining characteristics in Almed Retail’s success. Our high-achieving people work together to ensure their wisdom is shared with our business partners.
Ahmad Zaabri
Founder and CEO
Ahmad Zaabri - Founder and CEO
Ahmad Samir Zaabri is the driving force behind Almed Retail.
He brings more than 18 years of experience as an investor and entrepreneur with first-hand experience of what it takes to set up a successful business. He has a extensive knowledge of the UAE retail sector with a vast network of contacts across the food, retail, energy, construction and trading sectors.
In 2015, Ahmad launched Almed Retail, which is a powerful platform for sourcing highly promising business opportunities that have the potential to fill gaps in the UAE market. He aspires to continue adding value to the UAE’s retail sector by identifying great opportunities and through the continued development of his strategic relationships.
Saer Imad
General Manager
Saer Imad - General Manager
Saer heads up Almed Retail’s daily operations, including the setting of the company's overall corporate strategy and oversight of all financing and investment opportunities.
With more than 17 years first-hand business experience behind him, he has the skills, expertise and insight to develop a successful brand. This starts with taking a brand-new idea and developing it to become a thriving company with a strong market presence and sustainable financial outlook. His experience includes, leading major capital-raising projects, structuring (M&A deals), organizational-capability development and conducting risk analysis & valuation.
Saer’s previous role was with Khalifa Fund where he managed the development and support of more than 300 enterprises in different sectors. Prior to that, he supervised the lending program of AED 700M at Dubai SME. Saer has also worked as a senior corporate credit banker at Bank of Beirut in Lebanon with exposure to the African markets.
Saer holds an MBA from London Business School, UK and a BSc in Economics with a sub degree in banking and finance from the Lebanese American University, Lebanon.
Mohammad Noureddine
Food & Beverage Director
Mohammad Noureddine - Food & Beverage Director
Ahmad Zaabri - Founder and CEO
Ahmad Samir Zaabri is the driving force behind Almed Retail.
He brings more than 18 years of experience as an investor and entrepreneur with first-hand experience of what it takes to set up a successful business. He has a extensive knowledge of the UAE retail sector with a vast network of contacts across the food, retail, energy, construction and trading sectors.
In 2015, Ahmad launched Almed Retail, which is a powerful platform for sourcing highly promising business opportunities that have the potential to fill gaps in the UAE market. He aspires to continue adding value to the UAE’s retail sector by identifying great opportunities and through the continued development of his strategic relationships.
Saer Imad - General Manager
Saer heads up Almed Retail’s daily operations, including the setting of the company's overall corporate strategy and oversight of all financing and investment opportunities.
With more than 17 years first-hand business experience behind him, he has the skills, expertise and insight to develop a successful brand. This starts with taking a brand-new idea and developing it to become a thriving company with a strong market presence and sustainable financial outlook. His experience includes, leading major capital-raising projects, structuring (M&A deals), organizational-capability development and conducting risk analysis & valuation.
Saer’s previous role was with Khalifa Fund where he managed the development and support of more than 300 enterprises in different sectors. Prior to that, he supervised the lending program of AED 700M at Dubai SME. Saer has also worked as a senior corporate credit banker at Bank of Beirut in Lebanon with exposure to the African markets.
Saer holds an MBA from London Business School, UK and a BSc in Economics with a sub degree in banking and finance from the Lebanese American University, Lebanon.