News Dubai

Can't face the shops? A website is ready to come to the rescue
By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter

Dubai: With a click of a mouse you can now get groceries or urgently needed medicines delivered at home, or have even someone take your car to the garage for maintenance.

It's all part of the service provided by C-Mart, a website established by a group of Emiratis. The company is a member of Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.

General manager Abdul Raheem Mohammad Abdul Majeed said the services they offer might seem "strange", but they are what people would like.

"Somebody suddenly realises they need a certain grocery item, or need a fan for the air conditioner which has broken down and need someone to fix it. We come to the rescue in these situations at one phone call," he said. He said the company offers a number of services that will ease the lives of many people.

"We offer grocery delivery, air-ticket reservations, Haj and Umrah reservations and even take your donations to charity organisations," Abdul Majeed said.

The company charges Dh20-50, based on the amount of groceries. "Dh50 is the maximum amount we charge for this service, which is not a big amount compared to the effort and time one will put to go to the supermarket, shop and come back," he said.

Abdul Majeed said a number of their customers are regulars and many of them are housewives.

C-Mart also offers a car maintenance service."We take the car to the garage specified by the customer or to garages we know and have it maintained," he said.

He said, in addition to the garage bill, the customer pays Dh30 for one hour and Dh5 for every extra hour the car stays in the garage. However, the maximum is Dh50.

C-Mart will also arrange catering for parties, reserve air tickets and Hajj and Umrah trips. The company also receives donations and taking them to the Dar Al Bir charity. "We do not take any commission from customers on these services because we have agreements with the travel agencies and offices and we take it from them," Abdul Majeed said.

"Four Emiratis including myself have started this service one and a half years ago. We have got a lot of support, but still need more because we are offering essential services and we aim to satisfy our customers," he said.

Online service

Customers can register for the service online in both English and Arabic at the website www.cmartuae.com or call 800-26278, from 9am to 5pm.