New outlet in Ruwi to open on Aug 16
MUSCAT -- Popular retail shopping centre City Plaza, which houses prestigious brands under its wing, is undergoing a rebranding exercise, assuming the brand name Centrepoint. The Sultanate's first all-new Centrepoint outlet will open on August 16 at Fahad Plaza in Ruwi, preceded by the Al Khuwair outlet of City Plaza assuming the Centrepoint status tomorrow.
"The new Centrepoint outlet in Ruwi spreads across 4,000 square metres will be the best looking shop in Muscat, offering a unique shopping experience for the entire family," Willie Dreyer, General Manager of Landmark Group, Oman, said. The Centrepoint outlet will house Babyshop, Shoe Mart, Splash and Lifestyle under one identity, thereby projecting a single destination shopping experience," he added.
The Dubai-based Landmark Group, promoters of Centrepoint, will invest nearly RO 8 million to expand operations in the Sultanate, setting up new outlets in Salalah and Sohar, besides expansion of facilities in the capital, Dreyer said. The new Centrepoint outlets in Salalah and Sohar will be ready in early 2007, he added. Considerable job opportunities will be generated by the new outlets, Dreyer said, adding that presently the group employs about 490 people in the Sultanate, of whom 50 per cent are Omanis.
By the time the new outlets are ready, the Landmark Group will make a distinct statement in retail shopping experience, Dreyer pointed out. Centrepoint represents the Landmark Group's strategy to synergise its core retail concepts Babyshop, Shoe Mart, Splash and Lifestyle under one identity. Centrepoint's unified identity has successfully begun to project the group's position as one of the largest retailers in the region.
Centrepoint will offer the same great value for money in a visually exciting destination for the whole family.
The most visible benefit of this convergence is the enhanced design and stimulating shopping experience that is delivering Centrepoint's promise of the spirit of shopping. It is shaping consumer perceptions, increasing brand worth and fuelling growth for the group in the mid-market retail section, Dreyer said.
Centrepoint will be positioned as "a fashionable international shopping destination that gives a unique experience and has something for the entire family. The Centrepoint identity is an umbrella brand that has been designed to reflect the dynamism and diversity of the brands it represents."
Centrepoint features a completely new brand identity, upgraded design and shop fitouts and value added customer service elements like a common cash counter, a help desk, seating areas for customers and a coffee area wherever possible, Dreyer said. Landmark Group has retail outlets across the GCC region and India. The group has seven major brands under its wings, including Home Centre, Max and E-Max. Expansion being at the core of its business philosophy, the Landmark Group plans to continue to add more new concepts and stores in the near future.
In 2006 alone, the group plans to add 141 new outlets in the GCC region and Jordan, taking the total number of outlets to 556 from 425 at the end of December 2005. In India, the group has 11 outlets, which will go up to 18 by 2006-end. In the GCC region, Saudi Arabia leads with a total of 195 outlets, followed by the UAE with 127 outlets, 33 in Kuwait, 21 in Bahrain, 19 in Oman, 21 in Qatar and nine in Jordan.
The Landmark Group, founded in 1973 with a single shop in Bahrain, has grown into one of the largest retail organisations in the GCC and is expanding rapidly in India. It currently operates 400 stores across the region and recently started operations in Jordan. In addition to retail sector, the group has diversified into leisure, food, hotels and electronics and has created a comprehensive infrastructure, including its own logistics and distribution division to support its retail operations and other businesses.
By Ebby Chacko George
© Oman Daily Observer 2006
