The iconic Abu Dhabi store has undergone extensive renovation to offer an
outstanding customer experience
Dubai, UAE: Spinneys has renovated its 13,402sq ft Khalidiya store, which is set to reopen on 11 March after a lengthy period of refurbishment. Khalidiya will continue to offer exemplary customer service and an improved shopping experience combined with a specialist shop’s expertise.
Built to serve the communities surrounding it, Spinneys Khalidiya is a landmark store that has been around since the 1980s. Several members of Spinneys staff have fond memories of the store through their experiences of working there or as being customers themselves.
Shah Hussein, regional manager at Spinneys Dubai LLC, worked at Khalidiya before it became part of the Albwardy Group in 2004. “I started working at the store in 1998 and even back then it was known for specialised products that weren’t available elsewhere in Abu Dhabi. Personally, I enjoyed working at the store because of the family-like atmosphere. Our customers used to treat our staff like friends. During my time as store manager, Mohammed, our long-time customer service associate who still works at Khalidiya, would bring all new customers to meet me so we could develop a relationship with all our patrons.”
And this involvement with the community has carried on through the years. Omer Ahmed Khan, Khalidiya store manager from 2007-2009, recalls participating in community events. “There’s a police station across the road from the store, so many police officers used to shop at our store every day. Each year the station would host a football event in which we would participate. It was always a lot of fun.”
The Spinneys brand, and Khalidiya in particular, has nourished a strong association with the local Emirati community according to Amin Subba, who was regional manager in Abu Dhabi from 2017-2021. “Many of our Emirati customers today used to visit the store with their parents and grandparents. And now they’re adults and come with their own families. We value these relationships immensely.”
Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys Dubai LLC, also believes Spinneys benefits by nurturing this aspect of our customer service. “Our staff believe that looking after customers is an integral element of their jobs. Many of them have worked at Khalidiya for over 15-20 years so our customers know their names and have a rapport and level of trust with them.”
Naveen Kumar Kundadukan began his career in Khalidiya in 1997 as a customer service associate. In the years that followed, he worked at various Spinneys stores before returning to Khalidiya in 2018 as store manager. “The entire look and feel of the store has changed. Many of our long-time customers have told me that they are looking forward to the reopening. And we hope that they will enjoy the new products we have added to our existing range.”
And it’s not just new products they can look forward to. “We’ve built a café right next to the entrance of the store. We also have a new flower shop which can create customised bouquets on request,” says Gajendra Mahat, regional manager Abu Dhabi.
The store boasts a new deli section where everything from hot food and salads to grab-and-go items will be available in one area. There is also a much larger fresh fruit and vegetables section and a dedicated health and beauty section.
Spinneys Khalidiya will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.