Dubai’s Floating Supermarket Means You Can Shop At Sea!

Carrefour supermarket group launches its ‘floating market’

(Photo: AP Screengrab)

Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
Video Producer: Ujjwal Agarwal

Carrefour supermarket group launches the 'floating market' in the UAE.

The aquapod has more than 300 items on board, selling a wide range of products from mayonnaise to sunscreen.

The 40-square metre aquapod is the creation of marine architect Ahmed Youssef, who claims he created the pod with Dubai's coastal location and sustainability in mind.

“Many people they go to the beach, they use the jet ski, they’re on the boats and we wanted to serve them everywhere.”

Hani Weiss,  CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail

Customers can place their orders by phone, through the Carrefour app or, if their boat allows, right by the sail-through window.

Deliveries are made to yachts anchored elsewhere at sea and to people on the beach by a small skiff.

Food being collected for delivery to yachts.

“A lot of people are actually interacting with the app, people are calling, people are searching for Bites and More out on the sea. They are very happy.”

Hani Weiss,  CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail

While this might seem counter intuitive to some, Youssef, the marine architect insists that eco-friendliness is at the core of the floating market.

The pod is equipped with Seabin, a marine rubbish collector that uses a suction device to clean up the surrounding waters.

“It collects whatever floating trash that might be out there at sea and entraps it in a net basket, as well as a water purification system that takes water purifies it to drinkable water, that’s also tested.”

Ahmed Youssef, Marine Architect

With inputs from AP