InstaShop, the foremost online marketplace catering to supermarkets, pharmacies, pet shops, and various other businesses in the Middle East, has recently announced its successful acquisition of GroCart. Renowned for its exceptional customer experience and extensive product selection, GroCart operates as a B2B wholesale marketplace service, streamlining retail supply chain logistics through its user-friendly web platform.
Having facilitated over 15,000 successful orders and established partnerships with more than 200 leading suppliers, offering an impressive array of over 5,000 products in the UAE, GroCart has set its sights on expanding its smart B2B operations throughout the MENA region. Its primary focus will be countries housing a significant number of small-scale retail establishments, with Egypt serving as a prominent target market.
This strategic move made by InstaShop underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to expanding its market presence while enhancing the convenience and accessibility of grocery shopping for both customers and businesses. The acquisition of GroCart represents a significant milestone for InstaShop, positioning the platform as the go-to solution for regional businesses seeking to streamline operations and bolster their financial performance. Moreover, this strategic move will enable InstaShop to extend its reach into the highly lucrative Traditional Trade & HORECA sectors, as the FMCG wholesale industry in the UAE alone boasts a market size of USD 40 billion. This acquisition seamlessly aligns with InstaShop’s mission and underscores its aggressive regional growth strategy.
John Tsioris, Founder and CEO of InstaShop, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, acknowledging the evolving needs of businesses in today’s dynamic market. He stated, “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of GroCart. By leveraging our extensive network and cutting-edge technology, we aim to revolutionize the way companies engage in shopping, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and a seamless experience. This alliance opens the door to forging new partnerships and unlocking innovative solutions for businesses, empowering them to thrive in the digital economy.”
The inception of GroCart was spearheaded by Hussein Hosni and Nesma Zaghow, both hailing from a pharmaceutical background. Established during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, GroCart emerged as a catalyst for transforming the grocery market landscape. The platform offers an all-encompassing solution for wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers in the region.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Nesma Zaghow, Co-Founder and COO of GroCart, stated, “We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter alongside InstaShop. The shared vision between InstaShop and GroCart is truly inspiring, and we believe that together, we will amplify our impact while pushing the boundaries of customer experience.”
Echoing her sentiments, Hussein Hosni, Co-Founder and CEO of GroCart, remarked, “I take immense pride in our achievements at GroCart, and I am incredibly excited about the next phase of our journey. Within just two years, we have established a robust startup that has witnessed exponential growth. With this milestone, we firmly believe that GroCart is poised to lead the grocery B2B market in the UAE. By joining forces with InstaShop, we aspire to significantly streamline FMCG trade, financing, and payments. Through this acquisition, GroCart will greatly benefit from InstaShop’s expansive client base and robust financial position, unlocking a multitude of new opportunities.”
