The Mirdif City Centre outlet is the first international store of the UK-based leading creative kitchenware retailer

Dubai, May 9, 2010: Lakeland International, the leading provider of creative and innovative kitchenware, today marked the official opening of their store in Mirdif City Centre, Dubai. This is the first Lakeland outlet to be opened outside the United Kingdom.

Lakeland has been brought to the region by Jawad Business Group.

The official inauguration event was attended by Mr. Faisal Jawad, Chairman and CEO, Jawad Business Group and Mr. Sam Rayner, Managing Director, Lakeland International.

Mr. Faisal Jawad said: "It is a pleasure to introduce Lakeland in the region. Over the years, this UK brand has set new benchmarks in innovation and convenience in kitchenware.  We are certain that Lakeland will replicate its success story here too."

He added: "Since its inception, Jawad Business Group has always strived to bring to the market leading brands and concepts that would enhance the lives of our customers. We have constantly been on the look out for opportunities that would enhance the lifestyle of our customers. It has been our endeavor to understand the customer needs and help provide solutions. We have been on a constant growth path, opening new outlets, bringing new brands to the region."

Commenting on Lakeland's opening in the UAE, Mr. Sam Rayner, Managing Director, Lakeland International, said, "We are pleased to open our first outlet in Dubai. There certainly is not a better place than this city to mark the opening of our first international store. This vibrant cosmopolitan city offers brands like ours the perfect platform to understand and serve to the preferences and tastes of different nationalities at one go."

He added: "We are happy to have found a dynamic partner in Jawad Business Group. Lakeland offers a wide range of products that help prepare, serve and store food. Many items in our outlet are exclusive to Lakeland and all products are backed by their no-quibble guarantee. Every item is thoroughly tried and tested before the product earns its place in the Lakeland range. We are certain that the region will enjoy the Lakeland experience."

Lakeland has around 4000 products in its range and delivers to over one million households around the world. The company has always endeavored to proactively look out for products to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable, be it for cooking, entertaining, doing the housework or searching for the perfect present.

As the years went by, the name Lakeland Plastics no longer reflected the wide range of products sold. So in 1997 the name was changed to Lakeland Limited, and a decade later, simply Lakeland.

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About Lakeland
In 1963, Lakeland began with the idea of providing local farmers with polythene bags for packing poultry. A mail order business was set up supplying agricultural plastics and home-freezing products from a garage. Demand for kitchen accessories soon outweighed everything else. In 1974, Lakeland Plastics, the Creative Kitchenware Company was launched. As the years went by, the name Lakeland Plastics no longer reflected the wide range of products sold. So in 1997 the name was changed Lakeland Limited, and a decade later, simply Lakeland.

Now based in large, modern, purpose-built premises, Lakeland has around 4000 products in its range and produces around 18 catalogues each year - these are sent to over one million households around the world! The mail order business has grown from a few parcels sent out from the local post office to over 6000 parcels dispatched from our Kendal Dispatch Centre every day.

The number of retail outlets has also expanded. There are now 45 thriving Lakeland stores in the UK.

Lakeland is exclusively distributed in the region by the Jawad Business Group.

About Jawad Business Group
Since the 1950s, The Jawad Business Group (JBG) has come a long way from its humble beginnings and is now recognized regionally and internationally as a leading business enterprise. Today it operates various outlets throughout the GCC and India, covering a diverse range of products and services that caters to a wide section of society.

Having pioneered the supermarket concept in 1960, today the Group has continued to maintain its ideals of commitment to customer satisfaction, and aims to improving the quality of life for all Gulf residents, through its fashion and retail outlets, furniture, food, restaurants, travel and tourism, money exchanges.

Jawad Business Group's commitment to quality is demonstrated by the presence of the best brands in the fashion, footwear, lingerie, children's wear, home ware, body care items, cosmetics, furniture, cafes, quick service restaurants, casual dining, supermarkets, travel and tourism, currency exchange, sales and distribution, logistics and even the insurance sector.

The Group's success stems from an intimate knowledge of the regional marketplace and a highly trained and committed team. Close attention to customer requirements, insistence on always providing the best and continually offering new and innovative ways of serving customers has always been the cornerstone of the JBG business dictum.

For further information, please contact:
Jumana Aman
Watermelon PR
Dubai, UAE

Ph: 04- 2833655
jumana@watermelonme.com

© Press Release 2010