Page 46 - RLI November 2019

LUXURY RETAILING PROFILE | CHALHOUB GROUP

The Leading Partner

For Luxury

As an expert in retail, distribution and marketing services,

the Chalhoub Group, based in Dubai, has become a major
player in the beauty, fashion and gift sectors regionally.

Here, RLI sits down with Patrick Chalhoub, CEO of
Chalhoub Group to discuss what the company is currently FACES STORE

working on and what its plans are for the years ahead. Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE

y blending its Middle East expertise and intimate Currently operating around 700 stores, which is a mixture “We always try to connect and engage with our working, learn from it and share “Today, we are a Group
knowledge of luxury, Chalhoub Group has been of own concept stores, franchised and joint venture stores, customers, to understand what they want, learn how they the learning to remain humble in
a leading partner for luxury across the Middle every year the company targets the opening of 50 to 70 new think and what they aspire to, and finally how to bring the times success is forthcoming. of 12,000 people and we
BEast since 1955, and it is building brands in the units. What is perhaps different is that they also close around all this into effect to always remain meaningful to them,” So what does Patrick feel is are very much part of the
region by offering service excellence to all its partners and as many under-performing stores a year as well, making the explains Chalhoub. the greatest challenge?
a unique experience to its customers. openings more significant in high catchment areas. Presently, the company is approximately 650 days into a “It is how to be relevant to and luxury products market in
In today’s fast moving retail landscape, the Group is From its existing portfolio, the Group has reinvigorated 900-day plan to meaningfully transform the Group to make for our consumer. Customers the Middle East”
moving from a traditional distributor and retailer for luxury its Faces beauty chain. The brand has recently undergone a them more relevant for customers in a world that continues to today have so many different
in the Middle East to a hybrid retailer bringing luxury revamp and opened in June the very well received next- change at a lightning pace today. Chalhoub explains that given choices and it is harder and harder to create loyalty. This
experiences to the fingertips of customers everywhere. generation store in Mall of the Emirates and Riyadh Park, the volatile economic environment and the changing customer is the biggest challenge in a world that is becoming much
“Today, we are a Group of 12,000 people and we which will later be deployed across its network. generation, the company felt it needed to instil a certain agility more open and where competition is fierce,” says Chalhoub.
are very much part of the luxury products market in Chalhoub Group recently opened eight mono-brand and give more empowerment to its team, so that they could “As a Group, it might have taken some time to become a
the Middle East,” explains Patrick Chalhoub, CEO of the fragrances, make-up and fashion stores in the recently understand and react quickly to any changes in the market. very engaged one. We are not only passionate about what we
Chalhoub Group. “We are very well presented in each launched Al Maryah Central mall to cite a few amongst other “I believe we have fantastic people in place here and more do and how we do it, but we also make sure that we can have
of the fourteen countries in which we are present, locally openings in the UAE or in Riyadh. and more we are giving them the opportunity to unleash an impact on society and that we are a responsible business.
and regionally. We have a world-class professional team Over the course of the last two decades, the company their own energy, as first and foremost it is the people who We take seriously our responsibility towards our community,
and we are really looking to build brands in the region has been in almost constant growth mode, and has seen high make a company,” Chalhoub states. our planet and our people and we have a very strong
by understanding customers, capturing market share and double-digit growth almost every year. This has become Patrick Chalhoub also explains that perhaps one of the commitment to be responsible and engaged at all times as
making sure we create an engagement level, these are all more challenging since the 2015 oil crisis, but by always reasons for their success is their ability to recognise the we continue looking to the future,” Chalhoub concludes.
absolutely key factors in our evolution moving forward.” putting the customer first the Group has continued to grow. occasions when they do not succeed and something is not www.chalhoubgroup.com

FACES STORE LEVEL SHOES LEVEL SHOES
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai, UAE Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE Dubai Mall, Dubai, UAE

NOVEMBER 2019 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 47