Dubai: The German company behind a revolutionary range of healing footwear is hoping to make big strides in the UAE thanks to health issues coming increasingly under the public spotlight.
Reflex Points, which formed a UAE distribution deal with Dubai-based Andy Enterprises in 2001, is expecting its UAE sales to jump by 25 per cent this year. The company sold 30,000 pairs of Dr Mauch shoes and sandals per month in the country last year, bringing in sales revenue of more than Dh5 million.
First created by Dr Walter Mauch, a specialist in orthopedic medicine and reflex therapy, the insoles of each footwear product are designed to massage specific points of the feet, leading to a range of health benefits, including improved blood flow, less back pains and better digestion.
"We've noticed a strong correlation between our sales and the fact that the city is becoming more health-conscious," said Reflex Points president and CEO, Manfred Everz. "Sandals are very popular here and we have brought out designs which specifically target Arab consumers."
Dr Mauch products were first sold in the UAE at Shoe Centre in Sharjah. Menghani said Andy Enterprises aims to boost the number of points of sale from the current 35 and is targeting department stores including Debenhams, as well as duty free stores.
Products sold in the Middle East are manufactured by Gulf Footwear in Ajman and distributed throughout the GCC, as well as to Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Everz said Reflex Points has sold five million pairs of Dr Mauch products globally in the last two years.
Reflex Points is not the first company to attempt to tap into the region's increasing health awareness. Gulf News recently reported that Indian fitness, slimming and beauty business, VLCC Group, plans to invest Dh62.5 million into establishing a portfolio of 28 centres throughout the Middle East, seven of which will be located in the UAE.
