Pepe to have eight Gulf stores by 2008

Dubai: European fashion and denim brand Pepe Jeans will double its store presence in the GCC to eight outlets by 2008, according to the brand's master franchisee for the region.

By the end of this year, new outlets are scheduled to open at Dubai's Jumeirah Beach Residence and the Marina Mall extension in Abu Dhabi. Retail space has been secured for 2008 openings in Dubai Mall and Mall of Arabia, both in Dubai.

Earlier this month a new Pepe Jeans outlet opened The Avenues, Kuwait, under master franchisee Liwa Trading Enterprises and its Kuwait partner Al Sabrya Liwa.

The two companies recently gained operating rights for the Pepe Jeans in Kuwait and will close local stores operated by the previous licensee. "I am very confident about the brand. It has been very successful in the Middle East and I think a gap in this market exists for high quality aspirational lifestyle collections," said Anis Baobied, general manager of Liwa Trading Enterprises.

"Pepe Jeans fills this gap and we look forward to accelerated organic growth in the Kuwaiti market."

The new Kuwait store takes the Pepe Jeans store portfolio to four in the GCC. It operates in Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre, Abu Dhabi Mall and The Avenues.

All stores are operated under licence by Liwa Trading Enterprises, the master franchisee for the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Lebanon. The company is working on extending this deal to Saudi Arabia, said Shafqat Nabi, brand manager, Pepe Jeans.

Pepe Jeans was founded in 1973 and operates in more than 80 countries worldwide. The company designs, manufactures and markets men's, ladies' and children's clothing, including shoes, sunglasses, swimwear and fragrance.

"The brand is modern, sophisticated, youthful and aspirational, primarily targeting students and young professionals," said Baobied.

The new store at The Avenues will initially have collections of clothing and shoes for men and ladies. Extended product categories will soon be added, said Nabi.

Liwa Trading Enterprises also runs brands including Gant, La Senza, La Senza Girl, Bhs, Nautica, Premaman, Dwell and Tally Weijl, often with a different retail partner in separate markets.

The company recently revealed to Gulf News that it will invest Dh20 million into expanding US fashion brand Nautica's Middle East presence to 11 by 2010.