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Online retailing in may Nakilat launches get significant fillip during Covid-19 phase, says KPMG

By Pratap John new products with longer shelf life and a few retailers Business Editor may start to specialise in this segment. 2nd phase of fleet Covid-19 has brought in the sense of enhanced personal hygiene in almost everyone across the Online retailing in Qatar is expected to get a globe, including Qatar. There is an opportunity for significant fillip during the Covid-19 phase, which has retailers to tap into this growing segment, the report forced people to stay at home, according to a new said. report. The retail revolution in Qatar started post the 2006 “As the Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to Asian Games. Today, there are more than 25 retail management stay at home, it is encouraging non-starters to learn malls, several high street retail neighbourhoods and and experience the benefits and convenience of shopping complexes spread across the country. online shopping. It is a golden opportunity for online With limited congestion, excellent road retailers to accelerate and expand their adoption infrastructure, peaceful living environment, high levels while enhancing their customer base,” KPMG penetration of personal vehicles, easy access to said in its report on “Potential Impact of Covid-19 on transport; consumers have always preferred to step the Qatar Economy.” out of their dwellings and pay a visit to any of such shift from Shell Online home deliveries for prepared food is a well- establishments, not only to satisfy their shopping received concept in Qatar, but operators are facing needs but also their recreational needs. akilat has commenced the second phase of its fleet a shortage of staff and resources to manage the “However, now it seems that this landscape is about management transition from Shell International Trad- workload. Opportunity exists for expanding the to change,” KPMG noted. Ning and Shipping Company (Shell) with Q-Max LNG deliveries business and increasing customer base in “The ongoing pandemic has restricted such free (liquefied natural gas) carrier ‘Al Mayeda’ being the first ves- the short-term, it said. movement of families and most of them are forced to sel transitioned as part of several vessels phased management On opportunities in technology and digital, the use online shopping options, even though essential changeover pact. KPMG report said, “Retailers can leverage several retail is still open for business. This has a potentially “This will see us expanding our ship management capabili- technological and digital tools for productivity huge impact, as it possesses the power to change the ties and become a strong, fully-fledged shipping and maritime improvement, sales enhancements, strengthen consumer’s shopping behaviour fundamentally. company. The management of our vessels centrally from Qatar customer stickiness, etc. Downtime due to “Such a development may bring transformational will allow Nakilat to capitalise on existing synergies with our Covid-19 offers the opportunity to review tech/ change in the retail sector including supply chain, main charterer, realize operational efficiencies and optimize digital needs and make use of the available operations, procurement, marketing, workforce costs,” said Nakilat chief executive Abdullah Fadhalah al-Su- tools.” capabilities and competencies, etc. In the current laiti. KPMG said opportunity exists to re-negotiate environment, challenges for the retail sector lies in The technical management of ‘Al Mayeda’ will be undertaken contracts in terms of rental levels, utility costs and managing the debt burden, cash flow management, by Nakilat’s in-house ship management arm, Nakilat Shipping rental models. Opportunity