Majid Al Futtaim, which owns the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour in Kenya, officially launched its first Retail Business School in Nairobi today. Designed to integrate cutting-edge learning into the professional development of company colleagues, the school aims to nurture the next generation of retail leaders in Kenya.

The Retail Business School was inaugurated in the presence of Gunther Helm, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Retail and Christophe Orcet, Regional Director – East Africa of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, as well as a number of government officials, business partners, and members of Majid Al Futtaim’s senior leadership team.

The school offers a dynamic and creative educational environment, providing a 360-degree learning experience for Kenyan nationals both within Carrefour and across its supply chain. Offering courses covering retail technical skills, customer experience, leadership development, and localisation programmes, the school will incorporate both theoretical and practical understanding of online and in-store operations. This initiative aims to drive social and economic transformation through targeted professional development, ensuring customer service excellence, technical proficiency, and strong leadership within the Kenyan retail sector.

Gunther Helm, Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, stated: ““The launch of the Retail Business School in Kenya reflects Majid Al Futtaim’s unwavering commitment to investing in our people and empowering local talent. By providing world-class training and development opportunities, we are not only raising the bar for the retail industry but also contributing meaningfully to Kenya’s economic growth and prosperity for future generations.”

Helm added: “Our colleagues are at the heart of every exceptional experience we deliver to our customers. This investment underscores the critical role they play in driving our success and demonstrates our dedication to nurturing their skills and potential.” This latest investment in Kenya demonstrates Majid Al Futtaim’s ongoing commitment to supporting the social and economic transformation objectives of Kenya’s national development plan. The Nairobi school is set to provide 12 tailored training programmes annually, and equipping over 1,500 Carrefour Kenya colleagues with essential retail skills by 2025.

About the Retail Business School:

Located at Two Rivers Mall, the contemporary purpose-built facility follows Majid Al Futtaim’s latest design principles focused on energy and sustainability, in line with the company’s ambition to become Net Positive in carbon and water by 2040.

Courses will employ the latest technologies, including multimedia, digital library, and paperless classrooms, to deliver an omnichannel approach, ensuring that graduates are ready for a rapidly changing digitally-enabled retail landscape.

The Retail Business School concept was initially launched in the UAE in 2019, with schools now operating across Saudi Arabia and Egypt. These institutions have already demonstrated positive impact, including improved operational efficiency and the development of future retail leaders who contribute to the broader industry. The Nairobi location is set to build on this legacy by establishing a skilled workforce that can uphold the high standards of service and innovation that Majid Al Futtaim is known for.