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r/Morocco

06 Nov 2024 17:07

Why are we letting Akhenouch and his wife mess with Morocco’s shopping scene?

I don’t know about you, but buying from Amazon, AliExpress, Temu, Shein — you name it — has gotten way harder in Morocco. A few years ago, you could just click and order whatever you wanted, but now it feels like the government has thrown up roadblocks on anything coming from outside the country. And I’m convinced this all started after Akhenouch and his wife took control.

It’s like they’re running Morocco like it’s their own business — making moves that benefit them and their companies while making life harder for us. The new rules seem designed to force us to shop locally, but honestly, what are we getting in return? Local stores are stuck in the past. The products here are outdated, overpriced, and frankly, just not what we need.

# What’s Going On?

1. Shipping Problems & Sky-High Costs: If you’ve tried to order something from abroad recently, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Shipping costs are up by 30%, customs fees are ridiculous, and the wait times are unbearable. Something that used to take a week now takes a month — if it even arrives. The added costs on top of all that just make it not worth it anymore.
2. Local Shops Aren’t Cutting It: Yeah, in theory, it sounds good to support Moroccan businesses, but let’s be real — the local market is lagging. Fashion here feels stuck in the ‘90s, and electronics are so behind that it feels like we’re living in a different decade. If you’re into gadgets or keeping up with trends, the local stores aren’t even close to offering what’s out there globally.For example, when it comes to electronics, brands like Samsung or Apple are selling older models, while we could easily get the latest ones for half the price online. Fashion stores are filled with old collections, while trendy clothes from Shein, which are way cheaper and more fashionable, are being blocked or delayed due to the import restrictions.
3. Akhenouch and His Wife’s Profit Plan: Let’s get into the real issue. Akhenouch's wife, Aswat, has stakes in a variety of retail businesses that stand to benefit massively from these restrictions. Companies like Aswat Mobilité, which deals with tech and electronics distribution, and Al Mada, one of the largest investment groups in Morocco, are directly benefitting from these policies. By blocking access to foreign products, they are creating a monopoly where we are forced to pay inflated prices for outdated or low-quality goods from local stores that are often tied to Akhenouch’s family.For example, the massive price markups on local electronics like those in the Marjane Group or Carrefour Morocco — are clearly benefiting from fewer options available to Moroccan consumers. These stores are marking up items like smartphones, home appliances, and computers by as much as 40-50% compared to what you’d pay for the same product online, and the selection is often limited to outdated models.

# Why This is a Big Problem:

So, here’s the deal we’re getting stuck with limited choices, overpriced goods, and a lack of access to global markets. And don’t even get me started on the economic side of things. Stats from the Haut Commissariat au Plan show consumer spending is dropping, but inflation is up. Why? Because we’re stuck paying more for worse stuff. It’s a losing game for regular people.

The most frustrating part is how it’s all being masked as "protecting local businesses." But in reality, it’s just about lining the pockets of a few powerful people and businesses. The reality is, Akhenouch’s policies are protecting the profits of his own family’s businesses, like Aswat, Al Mada, and Marjane Group, by forcing consumers to buy overpriced, outdated products instead of having access to cheaper, more modern ones from abroad.

https://redd.it/1gl0w0r
@r_Morocco