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CHALHOUB GRouf

A FAMILY BUSINESS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING ITS CUSTOMERS NOT ONLY THE MOST EXCITING NEW BRANDS BUT AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE JHE CHALHOUB GROUP CONTINUESTO GROW AND DEVELOP. HERE, RLI TALKS TO CO-CEO PATRICK CHALHOUB TO LEARN MORE ABOUT Tryano.Yas Island HIS PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR AND BEYOND.

ince 1955, the Chalhoub Group has the brim with a tantalising array of fragrance, combining the brand's know-how with the been the leading partner for luxury make-up and skincare products. Katakeet Chalhoub Group's expertise is also the driver across the Middle East. As an expert is a unique luxury children's wear concept behind its- joint venture model. The Group in retail, distribution and marketing store, conceived around storytelling with established a strong foothold in the Middle Sservices, the Group has become a major the contribution of British children's book East region with some of the best names player in the beauty, fashion and gift sectors illustrator Polly Dunbar, and Level Shoe in luxury such as , Christian regionally. By blending regional expertise District, 'the world's finest shoe metropolis', , , , Chaumet, Christian and an intimate knowledge of luxury, the targets the luxury consumer through an Louboutin and Berluti. Chalhoub Group is building brands in the unparalleled collection of exclusive footwear "It is very important to us, when working region, by offering service excellence to all and bespoke services. This iconic district, with brands, that we allow them the its partners and a unique experience to its spanning 96,000sq ft, is recognised as a global opportunity to express themselves and not customers through its passionate teams. fashion destination, with a curated space overshadow what they stand for, acting as a Based in Dubai, and with a growing divided into 40 designer boutiques and four bridge between the customer and how we workforce of more than 12,000 people, multi-brand areas: women's designer and can present the brand to best effect. It has to implemented in 14 countries, and a network contemporary, men's and trend. stand for something," he adds. of over 650 retail stores, the Group's success The Group is currently working on a new The past year or so have been fairly is attributed to its most valued asset: highly 200,000sq ftTryano concept store atYas Mall demanding, he concedes, though it has skilled and dedicated teams. Professionalism with Aldar. Set to open in October, the store given the Group an ideal window in which and passion are what fuel Chalhoub's will be divided into four sections - beauty, to reinforce its commitment to ethical competitive edge in today's market. handbags, accessories and children - with business and sustainability. It has also taken The Group operates through its the widest variety of items on offer in the the opportunity to invest internally: "In the companies, affiliates and joint ventures country. recent months we have also focused on offering customers unparalleled services in "The aim has been to create a 'garden of the retail experience and managing and elegant surroundings. The management of imagination," explains Chalhoub, "portraying developing the retail experience, not only in over I50,000sq m of retail space and long- the four sections as seasons of the year." terms of product but also at point-of-sale, term partnerships with developers provide An official opening is expected in mid- distribution and so on," he adds. a unique perspective on mall developments November. The Chalhoub Group has opened between and the ability to negotiate the best locations Brand building and local adaptation lies at 40-50 franchise stores in the past year and for its partner brands. the heart of the Group's franchise business, will continue this deployment throughout "For me, it's never about the quantity of from customised marketing and buying to the coming 12-18 months:"We will continue brands but the quality of what we deliver," personalised real estate and positioning our penetration in those markets in which explains co-CEO Patrick Chalhoub."lt is true guidance. Chalhoub manages an extensive we currently operate, especially with North that we have many partnerships in this part portfolio of franchises with brands such Africa becoming increasing more relevant. of the world and we try to develop them as as L'Occitane, Saks Fifth Avenue, Carolina "What makes the difference is our DNA," regional rather than local partnerships." Herrera, Céline, Lacoste, Marc Jacobs, Michael smiles Chalhoub."Our values are everything." The Group has created four multi-brand Kors, Tory Burch, Christofle, Baccarat, Tumi At the heart of this, he says, is the Groups concepts, unique in their own way, designed to name a few. ability to accommodate the dynamic to fill a gap in the market with choice, width "It is vital to connect with the customer," transformation that it has seen in its and depth. says Chalhoub,"to their dreams and aspirations, customer base, a real shift towards a younger, Tanagra is the preferred destination for and to deliver something that is relevant to this. more digitally-aware population. style-sawy globalists to find the quintessence With this in mind, when we negotiate with a "We are a family business after all, and of elegance, curated by experts with a finger brand we do so as a partner, in order to better this is why, even with 12,000 team members, on the luxury pulse, whilst Wojooh, formally implement and deploy that brand." we feel we remain very much a family. Our known as 'Faces', is a beauty haven filled to Shared vision and business development, people make a difference," he concludes.

NOVEMBER 2015 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 2S