PHOTO
UK retailer's largest international shop-in-shop set for spring 2017 Dubai launch
Dubai, UAE - Leading UAE-headquartered diversified conglomerate Al-Futtaim and John Lewis have signed a wholesale agreement which paves the way for the Middle East launch of the renowned UK retailer's iconic stores and its diverse range of upmarket and value products.
According to the deal, John Lewis' home department will spearhead Dubai Festival City Mall's new flagship Robinsons store scheduled for a spring 2017 opening. To span 15,000 sqft, John Lewis's home department in Dubai will be the UK retailer's largest overseas shop-in-shop.
At its Robinson's shop-in-shop, John Lewis will be doubling its product assortment compared to its existing international collaborations offering Dubai Festival City Mall's shoppers its label furniture, cookware, textiles, glassware and nursery products in addition to the retailer's household bed, bath, living and gifting assortments.
Al-Futtaim and John Lewis have also agreed to further extend their existing partnership with Robinsons currently limited in Singapore, by exporting the concept to neighbouring Malaysia with next month's opening of a 630 sqft John Lewis shop-in-shop at Robinson's Kuala Lumpur store.
Paul Delaoutre, President Al Futtaim Retail said: "Al-Futtaim's solid regional retail infrastructure, know-how and reputation seamlessly blend with John Lewis's global appeal as a renowned retailer in a long-awaited exclusive partnership designed to offer discerning UAE consumers even more choice and options.
"At Al-Futtaim we are creating an unparalleled portfolio of brands and shopping experiences to cater for the different needs and tastes of the region's diverse consumer base and our latest entrepreneurial venture with John Lewis is testament in our ability to create and deliver bespoke win-win retail concepts with best-in-class partners."
The look and feel of the new shop-in-shop will be designed by John Lewis's store design team in collaboration with Al-Futtaim and Robinsons.
Andy Street, Managing Director, John Lewis, said: "We're delighted to be working with Robinsons again on two new ventures. The success of our existing international shop-in-shops has given us the confidence to open in the Middle East and increase both the scale of the space and product assortment. This is an exciting time for Al Futtaim's Dubai Festival City Mall and we're pleased that John Lewis will be a part of the next phase of its redevelopment."
-Ends-
About John Lewis:
John Lewis operates 46 John Lewis shops across the UK (32 department stores, 12 John Lewis at home and shops at St Pancras International and Heathrow Terminal 2) as well asjohnlewis.com. It is part of the John Lewis Partnership, the UK's largest example of worker co-ownership and all 30,000 John Lewis staff are Partners in the business. John Lewis, 'Best Clothing Retailer 2015' , 'Best Electricals Retailer 2015' and Best Homewares Retailer 2015''¹, typically stocks more than 350,000 separate lines in its department stores across fashion, home and technology. Johnlewis.com stocks over 280,000 products, and is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK. John Lewis Insurance offers a range of comprehensive insurance products - home, car, wedding and event, travel and pet insurance and life cover - delivering the values of expertise, trust and customer service expected from the John Lewis brand.
¹ Verdict Consumer Satisfaction Awards 2015
About Al-Futtaim:
Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Al-Futtaim employs in excess of 42,000 people and operates through more than 200 companies. The group has significantly expanded its business operations in recent years through a strategic acquisition plan and has entered a number of new territories, increasing its footprint beyond the GCC and Greater Middle East to encompass South East and North Asia, Australasia, East Africa and Europe. Structured into four operational divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate and retail. The success of Al-Futtaim is attributed to proactively managing change whilst upholding the values of integrity, service and social responsibility. The majority of businesses, built on a portfolio of world leading brands, dominate their sector.
About Robinsons:
The Robinsons story began on 25 February 1858, when John Spicer and Philip Robinson founded Spicer and Robinson in Singapore. Since that, Robinsons pioneering spirit has kept them at the forefront of Asian retail and since 2008, Al-Futtaim Retail Group has been succeeded in operating Robinsons Department store in Singapore leading the department store to be the best performing ones in South-East Asia. The brand is committed to offering customers an unrivalled choice of the world's best brands with exceptional standards of customer service and after sales support.
© Press Release 2016
