Mars Hypermarket signs digital transformation partnership with SAP

Topkoc: "SAP is exchanging global best practices in retail to support Oman's digital transformation and economic growth in line with Oman Vision 2020."

Aiming to expand its share of grocery store sales in Oman and to support the nation's digital retail strategy, Mars Hypermarket has inked a digital transformation partnership agreement with SAP.

As per the agreement, the hypermarket chain will adopt a variety of SAP's digital business solutions based on the SAP HANA platform. Mars Hypermarket aims to capitalise on the platform's features, which includes operational improvements for supply chain, employee and customer engagement.

Additionally, the hypermarket chain is considering adoption of SAP S/4HANA, mobile apps, as well as augmented and virtual reality solutions.

V.T. Vinodan, managing director, Mars Hypermarket Oman and UAE, said: "Oman's customers expect a personalised and seamless shopping experience from their mobile devices.

"With real-time technology, Mars Hypermarket can deliver innovative digital business models with better product decisions, convenient omni-channel shopping experiences, and customer loyalty programs."

According to a report produced by Farrelly & Mitchell, a food and agriculture research firm, Oman's supermarket and hypermarket sales are projected to grow by 15% from $3.4bn in 2016 to $3.9bn by 2018. At the regional level, GCC supermarkets and hypermarket sales will increase by 19% to reach $49bn by 2018.

To date, Mars Hypermarket delivers 70% of total grocery store sales in Oman, as reported by Alpen Capital.

Tayfun Topkoc, managing director, SAP Oman and UAE, said: "Mars Hypermarket is showing best practices in how to harness the power of digital technology to enhance the complex retail experience. SAP is exchanging global best practices in retail to support Oman's digital transformation and economic growth in line with Oman Vision 2020."