MIDDLE EAST
Affan Al Khoori
Deputy CEO
Graduated from the University Of Colorado in 1999 , Mr . Affan Al Khoori started his professional career as an Area Manager with Emirates National Oil Company Group ; a petroleum retailer with a chain of convenient stores across the UAE . This has given him the opportunity to interact with a large customer base in a diversified market environment , be part of a development team and introduce new concepts to the local market .
In 2006 , Mr . Affan Al Khoori joined aswaaq L . L . C , one of the subsidiaries to the Investment Corporation of Dubai ( the Investment Aram of Dubai Government ) as a Category Manager . His experience in the retail market and acquired knowledge supported him in securing the Director position of Merchandizing and Buying Department . Soon , His professionalism and knowledge appetite led him to an Executive Director Level . By the end of 2012 , Mr . Affan assumed the position of Chief Operating Officer followed by his current position as The Deputy Chief Executive Officer to continue his journey of developing aswaaq and bringing it to the forefront of retail market .
Innovation and Future Director , Manoj Vijayan .
Additionally , the company ’ s collaboration with LS Retail , Philips , Aisle411 , GBM and Valuelabshas seen not only the development of its mobile app , named aswaaq Reach , but has enabled customers to gain the ability to build personalised shopping lists . Once complete , the use of Philips ’ Visible Light Communication provides customers with a mobile navigation system ( or mobile map ) of the store , suggesting the quickest routes for customers to locate items and whether they are available .
“ We ’ re trying to take the concept of convenience to a new level ,” says Al-Khoori . “ We want the customer to have a positive shopping experience . We ’ ve created this unmanned environment that is within communities . The product range will be designed and will accommodate the needs of that specific community .”
Through machine learning , regular items on a user ’ s shopping list will also be suggested , prompting items that may have been forgotten , as well as further information surrounding potential deals or discounts on items that may be of interest that day .
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