World’s first sail-through supermarket launches in Dubai

Yacht crews and jet-skiers will be able to buy items from a shop anchored out to sea

Carrefour's 'sail-thru' supermarket will serve yacht passengers, jet-skiers and beach-goers
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The world’s first sail-through supermarket has been launched in Dubai.

Yacht crews, jet-skiers and speed boat passengers will be able to shop from a store or ‘Aqua Pod’ anchored out to sea offering hundreds of items.

On sale will be fresh and dried foods, hot and cold snacks, beverages, cosmetics and medicine. A skiff will also deliver orders to beach-goers on nearby Kite beach, Jumeirah public beach and Al Sufouh beach.

“With Dubai’s stunning coastline being enjoyed by millions of people each year, it is a natural next step to cater to our customers with relevant products in a locale where they are not currently being served," said Miguel Povedano, COO of Carrefour UAE at Majid Al Futtaim Retail.

Yacht crews, jet-skiers and speed boat passengers will be able to shop from a Carrefour ‘Aqua Pod’ anchored out to sea offering hundreds of items.Courtesy MAF
Yacht crews, jet-skiers and speed boat passengers will be able to shop from a Carrefour ‘Aqua Pod’ anchored out to sea offering hundreds of items.Courtesy MAF

“It’s exciting to know that we can reach our customers anywhere whether it be land or sea, and we can’t wait to delight them with this world-first service.”

The custom-built, sail-through store will be operational six days a week from 10am to 6pm, subject to weather conditions.

Placing an order is simple. Jet skiers and passengers in small sailing craft can sail up to the Aqua Pod and order at the window counter.

Customers on larger sailing vessels, or those on selected beaches, can phone through their order and a skiff will deliver their items within 45 minutes.

The Aqua Pod was designed and created by Aquatic Architects Design Studio (AADS) in Dubai.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 18 NOVEMBER 2018. Residents and visitors to Dubai enjoy the public holiday on the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), also known as Eid Al Mawlid an Nabawi, in the sunshine on Kite Surf Beach.

. (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National) Journalist: None. Section: National.
A skiff will even deliver to landlubbers on Kite beach. Antonie Robertson / The National

The system was built with an eco-friendly focus and is powered by rechargeable batteries.

A sea bin attached to the exterior of the pod also sucks any floating debris into its holding tank, with the refuse safely disposed once docked back on shore.

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