Carrefour partners with Dubai’s Desert Vipers to promote healthier and more sustainable lifestyles in the UAE

• Over 12,000 students annually are set to experience cricket firsthand, benefiting from practical sessions that enhance their physical fitness and teamwork skills. Beyond the sport, the programme emphasizes the importance of making healthier, more sustainable lifestyle choices.
• Carrefour customers will experience live Desert Vipers matches and in-store cricket-themed activities.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9th January 2025: 家乐福 , which Majid Al Futtaim owns the exclusive rights to operate in the UAE, has partnered with Dubai-based cricket team, the Desert Vipers. This strategic collaboration aims to empower families in making healthier and more sustainable choices while nurturing the next generation’s love for cricket. ?

Central to this mission is the Desert Vipers Schools Programme, which engages over 12,000 children annually across the UAE in cricket training through partnerships with GEMS Education and other leading schools. The programme introduces students to the fundamentals of cricket through practical sessions that enhance their physical fitness and teamwork skills while also integrating lessons on healthy living, sustainability, and the importance of making healthier, more responsible lifestyle choices.

Each participating student will receive a Desert Vipers shirt, sponsored by Carrefour, with a QR code that directs parents to Carrefour's "Choose Better" programme, which showcases a selection of sustainable products. Launched in 2023, “Choose Better” aims to educate, empower, and reward customers by making healthier and more sustainable choices accessible, affordable, and appealing to everyone.

Jean Luc Graziato , Chief Operating Officer — UAE at Majid Al Futtaim, commented: “This partnership is a testament to Carrefour’s commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future for the community. We recognise our responsibility as a retailer to positively impact health and well-being. Through initiatives like ‘Choose Better’, we are working in alignment with the UAE’s National Nutrition Strategy, educating the community, particularly the youth, on the importance of making healthy and sustainable choices. By linking this to the community’s love for cricket, we aim to empower families in making informed choices that benefit both themselves and the planet. Encouraging the next generation to embrace these values is key to building a greener tomorrow.”

Carrefour customers will enjoy opportunities to engage with the Desert Vipers through competitions to win prizes, including tickets to live matches and signed merchandise.

Further demonstrating their commitment to a greener future, the Desert Vipers will host their “Sustainability Match” on January 18th, 2025, as part of the ILT20 league. This match isn’t just about cricket, it’s an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the Vipers’ work in sustainability while engaging fans in a shared journey toward a more sustainable future.

“The link between nutrition and high-performance in elite sport is recognised across the board as marginal gains can make the difference between winning and losing on the field of play,” said Phil Oliver , CEO of the Desert Vipers. “In this way sport serves as a metaphor for how making better choices about the food we eat in everyday life is linked to personal health. Carrefour is the perfect partner for us to work with in our mission to promote health and wellness in our community. Our Sustainability Match offers a unique chance to inspire fans worldwide to take positive actions for the planet in partnership. The Desert Vipers aim to make this match a fun, engaging experience while driving meaningful change for people and the planet”.

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Note to the Editor: The legal name of this company is “Majid Al Futtaim” and should not be shortened or replaced by an acronym to avoid confusion with another business entity.

Disclaimer: All facts and figures in this release are accurate at the time of issuance.

For media inquiries, please contact:

·???? Desert Vipers Media Relations (Sustainability): [email protected]

·???? Carrefour Press Office: [email protected]

About the Desert Vipers

The Desert Vipers are one of six teams competing in the UAE's International League T20 (ILT20). Owned by Lancer Capital and renowned for both sporting excellence and a deep commitment to sustainability, the team champions the United Nations Sports for Climate Action framework, aiming to cut its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.Central to this mission is the Desert Vipers Schools Programme, engaging thousands of children across the UAE in cricket, while fostering education on healthy living and environmental stewardship. In January, the team will release a detailed Plastics Report, showcasing its efforts to combat plastic pollution. From recycling unused kits into fan jerseys to slashing plastic waste, the Desert Vipers are redefining environmental responsibility in sports. By innovating on and off the field, they inspire future generations to take meaningful action for the planet.

About Majid Al Futtaim and Carrefour:?

Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate operating across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Group employs 43,000 people, with owned assets valued at US$19 billion and has the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held corporations in the region.??

The Group has owned the exclusive rights to operate Carrefour in 13 markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, under Majid Al Futtaim’s distinct logo and name, since 1995.

To meet the growing needs of its diverse customer base and communities, Carrefour offers omnichannel customer experiences tailored to the needs of the modern consumer. Through its innovative physical and digital customer services, Carrefour provides access to an unrivalled choice of quality products, at unbeatable value for the 770,000 customers it serves daily. Committed to supporting local economies, producers and suppliers in the communities it serves, Carrefour resources over 80 percent of its products from the region.?