Dubai: Dubai-based chocolate confectionary brand Delice will expand to London’s Harrods, a luxury department store, the company said on Sunday.
Following the launch of Delice at Harrods’s Chocolate Room and VIP Room on July 1, Delice plans to open outlets in Azerbaijan (October), Saudi Arabia (November) and Cote d’Ivoire through franchise agreements.
Launched in 2004, Delice has three outlets in Dubai, located in The Dubai Mall, Grosvenor House Hotel in the Marina and in Deira, opposite Deira City Centre, in addition to stores in Armenia and Bahrain, which opened earlier this year.
The premium brand sells chocolates, sweets, macaroons and different types of dates, among others. A small box with four pieces of chocolate costs Dh25. Customers can also get a large box with 300 pieces for Dh3,650.
Next, the company is looking to take the brand to US cities such as New York and Los Angeles, according to its founder and president Jalel Ghayaza.
“Americans are open to new products,” he said.
The company is also looking to expand to India.
He expects Delice’s revenue to grow by 50 per cent during the first half of the year. Sales are likely to reach $6-7 million this year and grow by 50-100 per cent next year, thanks to the international expansion, he said.
Even as it expands internationally, the company’s chocolates will be produced locally.
Meanwhile, Delice is not looking to expand into other emirates.
“We’ve got good penetration in the market,” Ghayaza said.
