DB Schenker mobilises in GCC for Ramadan logistics rush

In a usual month, DB Schenker moves more than 100,000 tonnes of consumer and retail goods into the UAE. During Ramadan, this can increase to 130,000 tonnes.
For retailers, the Holy Month of Ramadan is a peak time for demand in the UAE and wider region and ensuring the timely delivery of supplies to the shop floor and supermarket shelves requires specialised logistics partners.

Global logistics provider DB Schenker transports goods as diverse as electronics from China and Taiwan, cosmetics from Egypt, furniture and DIY home improvement kits from the US and Europe, high-street fashion wear from France and the UK, and dairy and chocolate from Ireland into the UAE and the wider GCC every year.

In a usual month, DB Schenker moves more than 100,000 tonnes of consumer and retail goods into the UAE. During Ramadan, this can increase to 130,000 tonnes.
“It becomes very important to manage expectations. That’s why, together with the retailers, we start planning as early as December. Looking at the demand we anticipate the volumes we need to bring in for our consumers, and how they need to be shipped to be available in the market,” says Thomas Ruelke, Chief Commercial Officer, DB Schenker Middle East & Africa, speaking to Gulf News.

With 76,000 employees in approximately 2,000 locations worldwide, DB Schenker calls upon its global network to support the logistics for demand that peaks during Ramadan.

For one customer alone, the firm transports more than 3,000 tonnes of dates in a month from Saudi Arabia to the GCC, Bangladesh, Djibouti, Lebanon and all the way to Asia during seasonal peaks. Another example is snacks that are popular especially during the holy month. In the run-up to Ramadan, the logistics firm moves nearly 3 million packets of crisps throughout many Middle Eastern countries.

The footprint reaches as far as Malaysia, where DB Schenker operates a certified halal logistics facility to ensure the halal status of products that are important to Muslim customers.

“Our warehouses in the UAE store handbags and cosmetics for shopping malls, as well as furniture and the latest fashion,” says Sharon Lobo, head of consumer segment at DB Schenker Middle East & Africa.

“Be it make-up, perfume, skin and hair care products, or vases, candles, pillows and other decorative items – everything is included. For one French luxury brand in particular, we actually offer a 24/6 operations setup, so something that is handed over to us in Paris around 3pm in the afternoon is actually up for sale next day in Dubai at 9am when their local store opens.”

Ramadan provides a boost for UAE retailers, with 40 per cent of consumers believing the holy month is the most lucrative period for them to make purchases.

A YouGov survey in 2018 revealed that while the public seeks promotions across a broad range of categories, many focus on specific areas.
While more than half look for deals on groceries and fresh produce, a similar number want deals on clothes while well over a third are keen to find mobile phone bargains.

For a large part of the population, gifting clothes is the norm especially during Eid.

Importing the clothes into the UAE in time for Ramadan comes with its own set of challenges, with orders being placed by retailers in January.

During the first quarter of 2019, DB Schenker moved almost 1 million units of baby fashion items for a large international retailer prior to the Ramadan sales.

“The goal is to bring those products to the market on time, so our clients can fill their shelves and make them available for the consumers,” says Lobo.

Profile

AAC Cargo is an international Freight Forwarding company, based in Dubai, with a reputation for providing outstanding quality that continues to secure a loyal customer base. The Company has developed a strong, young management team, which together with the founding Directors are committed to working within established quality procedures to provide each customer with the most reliable personalized service and dedicated to the continuous development of both our people and our services.

We pride ourselves on providing a flexible and innovative approach to achieving solutions for our customers, helping them in turn to meet the increasing demands of their customers. Our greatest asset is our people. We are committed to giving them the necessary training and tools, including cutting-edge technology, to provide the highest level of customer attention in the transportation logistics industry.

We are a team of highly experienced professionals who served the shipping and transportation industry with dedication and distinction for a very long time. Our long experience helped us to develop very strong relationships with the Exporters, Importers, various Government organizations like Port Authorities, Customs, Chambers, Free Zone Authorities, etc. We leverage this enormous network for the benefit of our customers to provide the finest international transportation and logistics services.

We offer a complete range of logistic solutions at competitive prices, personalized customer service and a worldwide network of offices and affiliates among others. Our advanced and value added services together with our high ethical standards helps us gain the respect and appreciation of our customers. Our ability to create customized solutions in specialized areas such as industrial logistics and other critical areas of multimodal transportation is the result of our pragmatic approach.

AAC CARGO L.L.C, Dubai, U.A.E

www.aaccargo.com/en

Tel: +971 4 8880718

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