Union Coop and Mars Launch a New Snacking Concept in Dubai
The revamped snacking destination at Union Coop Mirdif offers a wide range of snacks and confectionery in a convenient and locally inspired retail setting.
Dubai, UAE: Union Coop, in collaboration with Mars as a trade partner, has launched Snackat , a new retail concept designed to transform the traditional snacking shopping experience into an integrated destination built around the way consumers shop, discover and enjoy snacks.
Launched today at Union Coop’s Mirdif store in Etihad Mall, Snackat brings together Union Coop’s retail expertise with Mars’ category expertise and shopper insights to create a destination spanning a broad range of products and brands across five dedicated Snacking Worlds, alongside interactive experiences and locally inspired design elements. The concept was also developed with the support of Vitamin, a Dubai-based company that partnered with Mars and Union Coop on the Snackat project at Etihad Mall.
The concept moves away from the traditional category-led supermarket aisle model and instead focuses on the different moments and occasions that influence consumer snacking choices from sharing with friends and family to on-the-go consumption and personal treats.
Snackat brings together five dedicated Snacking Worlds: Confectionery & Frozen Treats, Biscuits & Salty Snacks, Gum & Mints, Snack Bars, and Nuts, Seeds, Meat & Fruit Snacks, helping customers navigate the category in a more intuitive and relevant way. Inspired by Emirati culture and language, the destination combines bilingual storytelling, Arabic-first signage and design elements influenced by local architecture. The concept is brought to life under the tagline “Small Bites, Big Hikayat!”
Beyond product discovery, Snackat introduces a range of permanent experiential elements designed to make the shopping journey more interactive. These include a sampling zone, interactive games, a dedicated ice cream experience, cross-category product pairings and a photo opportunity for customers.
Mohamed Al Hashemi, Chief Executive Officer of Union Coop, said: “The retail sector continues to evolve in line with changing consumer expectations, and at Union Coop, our focus remains on developing experiences that make shopping more convenient, relevant and engaging for our customers. Snackat represents a new approach to the snacking category, bringing together product discovery, customer experience and locally inspired design within one integrated destination. The launch reflects Union Coop’s commitment to innovation and to continuously enhancing the shopping experience for the communities we serve.”
Mars is a global leader in snacking, and through its category expertise and deep understanding of consumer and shopper behaviour, it works with partners to help shape relevant and engaging retail experiences. Ahmed Abdel-Wahab, General Manager of Mars Gulf, said: “Snackat reflects the opportunity to reimagine the snacking experience around the moments and needs that matter most to consumers. We are proud to partner with Union Coop and bring our category expertise and shopper insights to this innovative concept.”
The Mirdif launch will serve as a pilot for the concept, with Union Coop using customer feedback and performance insights to further refine the experience and explore opportunities for future expansion across its network of stores.
With Snackat, Union Coop is taking a new approach to the snacking shopping experience – creating a destination where products, occasions, experiences, and local culture come together to deliver a more intuitive and engaging shopping experience.
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