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| PELICAN HILL |
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Founded in Damascus in 1955 by Mr and Mrs Michel Chalhoub,
the Chalhoub Group has been the Ambassador of luxury lifestyle
in the Middle East for over 50 years. Maintaining its heritage
of a family-owned operation, the Group has evolved into one
of the leading forces in the luxury business. Today, with
a portfolio of some 280 luxury brands, a presence in 14 countries
and the management of 310 retail outlets, the Chalhoub Group
represents some of the finest international brands in the
region.
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The Group is
present throughout the Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Iraq,
Yemen, and India) and has also expanded its activities further
afield, in India for example.
Specialising in the retail, distribution and marketing of renowned
brands within the sectors of beauty, fashion and gifts, the
Chalhoub Group maintains trusted relationships with prestigious
houses such as Baccarat, Christofle, Nina Ricci, Celine, Marc
Jacobs and L’Occitane RLI spoke to Joint CEO Patrick Chalhoub
and asked how he would sum the past year, in terms of the Group’s
success and the development of its portfolio. |
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“As most
of the companies worldwide,” he said, “we have encountered
a slowdown in sales during the last semester of 2008, due to
the effects of the global economic crisis in the Middle East,
but our confidence in the region’s future and in the growth
of the luxury industry is still solid, as is our engagement.
“We have recorded a growth rate of 29 per cent during
the last seven years and during 2008, the growth in the retail
sector has almost doubled with 90 more new shops opened.”
These have included the first boutique of DSquared2 in the Middle
East, replicating its signature store design from Milan in the
Dubai Mall, and the launch of the latest Faces boutique in Dubai
Mall; Marc Jacobs also opened a new store in Jeddah, whilst
the group has launched its own fashion concept store, dedicated
to high-end luxury shoes, called Scarpe, in Kuwait and Dubai. |
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| “We
are always scouting for new and exciting brands that we feel
would be successful and would answer the latest consumer needs,”
explains Chalhoub. “For example, we recently introduced
internationally-acclaimed skincare cosmeceutical brands, such
as Dr Brandt, Eve Lom, Zelen’s, Dr Sebagh and M Lab, in
our Faces shops. Given the crisis, we will have a more focused
approach to introduce only those brands we feel would have the
most universal appeal across the region or really offer something
different and a new perspective or approach.” |
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The next year
will be one of consolidation, he says. Faced with increased
competition and consumers’ reluctance for extravagant
spending, the Group’s current strategy is to develop and
present value by adopting a more customer-focused approach.
The company is to focus and strengthen investment in four key
areas: knowledge, loyalty, targeted marketing and creativity,
and the shopping experience.
“It will be the retailers that have a strong differentiation
strategy,
clear positioning and focused communication plans that will
survive the crisis and actually come out stronger, with increased
market share,” says Chalhoub.
For the full article please see the RLI
June 09 issue
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Tel: +44 (0) 1706 212200 Fax: +44 (0) 1706 211782 Email:
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