Six store openings – from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah – with five celebrities, in six hours, is quite unimaginable for those living in the UAE. But Kalyan Jewellers are confident it is quite manageable.
One of India’s leading jewellers is investing over Dh140 million in the first phase of its overseas expansion with four stores in Dubai, and one each in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, roping in Amitabh Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and south Indian superstars Nagarjuna, Prabhu and Manju Warrier this Thursday for the rollout.
Warrier has the daunting task of being at every store from 10am to 4pm, from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah to Al Qusais to Karama and the two stores in Bur Dubai. Prabhu will join her at three of the stores in what’s touted as the largest single investment by an Indian company in the UAE in the jewellery sector. With an average space of 5,000 sq ft, spread over two floors, each showroom will have a dedicated diamond floor, again a first for the Emirates.
Over 375 security personnel have been hired for the stars, a record of sorts for the region, with a team of 20 for each brand ambassador.
Bachchan will do the honours at the Meena Bazaar outlet and will also address the fans from an elevated stage in the car park. Bachchan, who arrives on Thursday afternoon by a chartered flight, will stay at the new hotel Conrad Dubai, with a posse of security personnel who will man the movement on his floor, which can only be accessed by a private elevator.
Rai-Bachchan arrives on Christmas Day and will be in town until December 28, while Nagarjuna will be in Dubai on Thursday only. Warrier and Prabhu, who arrive on Christmas Eve will stay until December 27.
Kalyan Jewellers plans to open three retail outlets in Kuwait, two outlets in Qatar and one each in Bahrain, Muscat and Oman. They will also open 20 more showrooms in India and 15 internationally in the next financial year.
Timeline
Kalyan management will take a chartered flight at 8am to Abu Dhabi for the 10am opening.
At 10.30am, they will fly to Sharjah. The store opening is at 11.45am.
They will then move to Al Qusais by road and later to the Karama outlet.
Following a small break, the entire team will then go to the Bur Dubai and Meena Bazaar outlets.
