How has the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) supported your expansion plans?
The financing package has helped accelerate both our expansion and sustainability initiatives. Part of the funding supports investments in environmentally friendly equipment and infrastructure.
Furthermore, the partnership demonstrates confidence in Lebanon’s private sector. When international institutions invest in the country, they send a positive message about future opportunities and economic recovery.
How is technology reshaping the retail experience?
Technology is becoming central to every aspect of retail operations. Across the company, departments have proposed numerous artificial intelligence initiatives designed to improve efficiency and enhance customer experience. For example, we recently introduced AI-powered skincare analysis technology at our Antelias location. Looking ahead, we expect artificial intelligence to influence nearly every area of our business. In my opinion, it represents the most significant technological shift since the smartphone.
What has Shark Tank taught you about regional entrepreneurs?
The experience was extremely rewarding. Lebanese entrepreneurs continue to demonstrate exceptional creativity, resilience and ambition.
Several businesses featured on the show have already become part of our ecosystem. Watching entrepreneurs grow their companies and pursue their ambitions successfully has been particularly fulfilling. Ultimately, I hope to see several major success stories emerge from these partnerships.
Why is Iraq an important market for Gray Mackenzie Retail Lebanon?
Iraq presents significant long-term potential. We recently opened our first location at Iraq Mall in Baghdad, one of the country’s leading retail destinations. The city continues to grow rapidly, purchasing power is improving and consumer demand remains strong. Consequently, we see substantial opportunities for expansion over the coming years.
Are you exploring additional markets?
We continue to monitor regional opportunities, including Syria. However, our immediate priority remains Lebanon. Several new locations are currently planned across the country, including projects in Aammiq, Zahle, Bteghrine, Mdawar and Khaldeh. Therefore, our expansion pipeline remains very active.
How is Gray Mackenzie Retail Lebanon’s retail portfolio structured?
Spinneys remains our flagship brand with 19 branches currently operating across Lebanon. Alongside Spinneys, we operate Happy, our discount retail concept with 13 locations, and Grab & Go, our convenience store network with 26 branches. Additionally, Knock Knock continues to expand as our quick commerce platform through a growing network of dark stores. Together, these brands allow us to serve a broad range of consumer needs and shopping preferences.
What role does Signature play within the group?
Signature occupies a unique position within our portfolio. It combines premium retail with food and beverage experiences in a distinctive format. Over the years, Signature has become a valuable testing ground for new concepts and culinary innovations. As a result, several successful initiatives that originated there have influenced developments across the wider group.
Why expand into food and beverage?
Our objective has always been to create a fully integrated retail ecosystem. Food and beverage naturally complements our retail operations and strengthens the customer experience.
Today, our portfolio includes international franchises, locally developed concepts and proprietary brands. This combination allows us to innovate continuously while learning from global best practices.
Recently, we added Pizza Hut to our portfolio in Lebanon while continuing to develop our own concepts. These include Brisket & Bun and several food concepts operating within Food Avenue at The Hub in Antelias.
Why are private label products a priority?
Private label development is an important part of modern retail. Globally, leading retailers continue to increase the share of products developed under their own brands. When we began focusing on private label products in 2018, they represented approximately 5 percent of our business. Today, that figure has grown to nearly 18 percent. More importantly, these products allow us to deliver quality, value and differentiation for our customers.
How has the business evolved in recent years?
Before the crisis, annual turnover stood at approximately USD 300 million. During the most difficult years, that figure declined to approximately USD 140 million before beginning a strong recovery. Today, annual turnover is approaching USD 500 million, and our long-term ambition is to reach the USD 1 billion milestone. Nevertheless, sustainable growth remains our primary focus, and profitability must always accompany expansion.
What impact is expansion having on employment?
Our workforce has grown from approximately 2,000 employees to around 3,500 today. As new projects come online, we expect to create between 500 and 1,000 additional jobs. Consequently, expansion continues to generate meaningful employment opportunities across Lebanon.
What is your outlook for online grocery retail?
Online grocery retail will continue to grow rapidly, but physical stores will remain essential. Consumers increasingly value convenience, particularly for everyday purchases and smaller baskets. At the same time, people still enjoy visiting stores and experiencing retail environments firsthand. Therefore, the future belongs to businesses capable of integrating both digital and physical channels successfully.
Knock Knock has become an important growth platform for us. The business is expected to generate approximately USD 50 million in turnover, and we believe its long-term potential remains substantial.
What leadership principles guide you?
Three principles guide everything I do. First, you must have passion for your work because success begins with genuine commitment. Second, dedication is essential because passion alone is never enough. Finally, surrounding yourself with the right people creates the foundation for long-term success. Together, these principles have shaped our journey and growth.
Who has been your most influential mentor?
Without hesitation, I would say my father. He built a successful business from the ground up and created opportunities that shaped our future. Beyond that, I believe every conversation and every relationship offers valuable lessons. However, my father’s example, determination and work ethic remain the greatest influences on my professional journey.
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About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
