UAE mobile shopping platform eyes growth amid partnership
Dubai: Space is a pretty relative term for good fragrances. They can carry over distances — helped along by a favourable waft of wind here and there — and leave a lasting impression.
The CEO of one of UAE’s high-end retail chains, Paris Gallery, too doesn’t care for geographies when it comes to exerting influence. “I want to open an outlet in London and some other city in the West — not because it will make an [immediate] business case but just because it can be done,” said Mohammad Abdul Rahim Al Fahim.
“All leading fashion labels and department stores are in our region and with huge ambitions of what they want to achieve. Is there any reason why UAE based brands shouldn’t be there? Emirates and Etihad airlines have shown UAE entities can compete globally and win. UAE retailers too can do the same and not be limited to their own region for expansion.
“I don’t have any illusions that if Paris Gallery were to open in an international market, we will not get a hostile reception from the competition. I can deal with that and make it work in our favour. I have not set a timeframe as to when we plan to do so, but it will be done.”
While its principally known as a retailer of fragrances, Paris Gallery also operates mono-brand stores for the likes of Cartier, Burberry, Salvatore Ferrgamo, and Aigner in key Gulf cities. As it bides its time for an international presence, the Group is busy with a series of planned openings within the Middle East.
“Outside of the Gulf, businesses have to prepared for ups and downs planning their investment and the timing — it’s not always in their hands,” said Al Fahim. “We were looking to enter Egypt three years ago but there were all those issues happening at the time.
“Now, UAE groups like Majid Al Futtaim are back to developing their [mall] projects in Egypt and we plan to have a presence [in that market].
“We have booked locations in Muscat and Bagdad and Baku is opening next quarter. We will not be pulling out of Baghdad — if circumstances are not favourable we can wait. Morocco’s going to happen soon and these are all big openings.
“But there will always be distractions that have to dealt with... we have a shop in Libya that we cannot open until the country settles down.”
In the UAE, the retailer has it pretty well covered through locations in malls and on the high-street. Network rollout continues in Saudi Arabia and some of the other Gulf markets.
But Al Fahim is not prepared to see the group diversify into launching its own department stores. “Paris Gallery stores have a [cachet] when it comes to fragrances, skincare and accessories and there are the mono-brand fashion outlets we operate for other labels,” said Al Fahim. “A multi-brand department store will not make sense for — all of the big international names are already here and more are coming. There won’t be any space for us to make use of.”
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