Dubai-based Al Ghurair Retail announced plans to expand its footprint in the GCC by a third next year, with the launch of more than 30 new stores in the region. The company is also set to sign two new fashion brands in the coming months as it seeks to tap a regional retail market that’s still enjoying strong growth.
Next year’s store expansion will see Al Ghurair Retail’s presence in the GCC increase to nearly 100 shops from the 60 it currently operates in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait and a number of new to the region world-class brands will be added to the brand portfolio.
Fifteen of the new stores will be brands that recently became part of Al Ghurair Retail’s portfolio – nine Boux Avenue, three Morgan de Toi and three Prenatal stores. Of the remainder, two will be European clothing retailer Springfield and two will be the Korean skincare outlet The Face Shop.
“The retail sector in the Gulf has shown consistently strong growth over the last few years, and that seems set to continue. So for us it makes perfect sense to expand our store presence within the GCC, and take our international brands into new markets,” says Keith Flanagan, general manager, Al Ghurair Retail. “I’m delighted to say that we are planning to add more brands to our retail portfolio in the next few weeks. The company is also planning to invest heavily in Qatar and Kuwait, opening new stores in shopping malls in these two areas,” Flanagan adds.