Phygital and tech-ready approach to grow with power across GCC

Neeraj Teckchandani is the Group CEO of Apparel Group, one of the leading retail conglomerates headquartered in Dubai, UAE. Apparel Group has established a strong presence in more than 14 countries. The Group has a portfolio of 80+ international and homegrown brands, and owns and operates 2,025+ stores in the GCC region and has massive expansion plans over the course of 2023 and beyond.

Teckchandani has been associated with the Group since its inception in 2000 and has grown through the ranks. Today he spearheads the Group playing a key role in its growth story. Under his guidance, Apparel Group has undertaken multidirectional innovations including publication of the first sustainability report in 2021 and signed the pledge with the UAE Government to get to net zero by 2050. The launch of the sustainable private label brand F5 Global and the adoption of mobile points of sale and self-service kiosks for a frictionless shopping experience for consumers is one of the key achievements the Group has scored in recent times. Further under his leadership, Apparel Group has opened more than 500 stores over the past 24 months and launched new brands including Forest Essentials, Asics, X Side, Flo, LCW Dream in the GCC and Victoria’s Secret, Daiso, Tim Hortons, La vie en Rose & R&B in India.

The Group has launched GCC’s first phygital store 6thStreet.com at the Dubai Hills Mall, acquired the Steve Madden business in the GCC Region, signed joint ventures with UAE homegrown brand Project Chaiwala and Indian brand Nykaa, also under Teckchandani’s visionary guidance. Looking ahead, Apparel Group plans to open several new stores and launch four-five new brands in 2023, launch Tim Hortons in Egypt and undertake new distribution centre expansion in Qatar and the UAE.

Teckchandani is a Cost Accountant by profession and an Alumni of Harvard Business School, City University London, and India Institute of Management Ahmedabad. He has spent almost three decades in Dubai and has vast experience in the retail industry.

Apparel in numbers

• Geographical Reach: 14 countries, including the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt and South Africa
• Brand Portfolio: 80+ brands including Skechers, Aldo, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Rituals, Levi’s, Tim Hortons, R&B and many more.
• Retail Footprint: 2,025+ offline stores and online business via www.6thStreet.com and a host of mono brand websites including Tommy Hilfiger, Aldo, Rituals, Crocs, R&B, LC Waikiki, His & Hers, F5 Global, Nessa etc.
• People Strength: 20,000+