Dubai: Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Fashion, the retail arm of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, is looking to bring American clothing brand Abercrombie & Fitch to key markets in the GCC, a top company official told Gulf News.
“The regional debut is in Dubai — and the current joint venture is to represent the brand’s presence in the UAE. However, we are looking to extend this to key markets across the GCC,” Asil Attar, chief executive for MAF Fashion, said in an email.
MAF Fashion on Tuesday announced a joint venture with Abercrombie & Fitch Co. to bring the brand to Dubai for the first time in the Middle East by 2014. This comes on the heels of an announcement in February to introduce the Halston Heritage and Hollister brands to the region this year.
North American brands are the most global, according to a recent retail industry report released by CB Richard Ellis, with 73 per cent present in all three major retail markets — Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa.
The report also found that 61.2 per cent of American brands operate at least one store in Dubai, making it the second most targeted city for international retailers, falling closely behind London.
Shopping capital
On reasons for the growth of American brands here, Attar said: “Dubai is renowned for being the shopping capital of the region, and it is often perceived as being the gateway and platform for other key markets within the Middle East for brands looking to support their international growth plans. American brands are often synonymous with lifestyle and Abercrombie & Fitch represents the fresh, free-spirited approach that suits Dubai’s market.”
MAF Fashion will make further announcements of new brands “in due course” give the “extreme demand and interest for new, unique and international concepts,” Attar added.
Meanwhile, MAF Fashion has secured space in the Mall of Emirates for the Hollister store that is due to open by the third quarter of this year, she said, adding that the company is continuing work to roll out the brand throughout the UAE.
