Page 18 - #182 June 2023

Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates
Dubai, UAE

A Leader in Luxury

Al Tayer Group’s retail division, Al Tayer Insignia, has been establishing and
operating brands and creating award-winning retail concepts across the Middle
East since 1981. Over the next two pages, learn more about the company and its
future plans as we speak to Khalid Al Tayer, Managing Director of the business.

fter first venturing into retail with their Aati store in 1981, Al Today the department store division is predominantly focused on the
Tayer Insignia has grown to become one of the largest luxury UAE and Kuwait. The Middle East and Africa luxury goods market is
Aretailers in the Middle East, hosting a portfolio of some of the projected to deliver record growth rate during the next five years, with
world’s best brands across the fashion, jewellery, home and department the UAE and KSA leading the way. Specifically, KSA presents a future
store sectors. They are the only Middle East partner offering the breadth growth opportunity for the company with it being the largest economy
of experience and leadership across the three key channels of luxury in the GCC. They recognise the future potential of KSA and the growth
boutiques, department stores and e-commerce platforms. opportunity as a true GCC omni-retailer.
“As the leading luxury retailer, we operate directly and with our partners Customers are at the heart of everything Al Tayer does and their
over 180 stores across the GCC and four e-commerce sites,” highlights department stores allow them to observe and listen to their wants and
Khalid Al Tayer, Managing Director of Al Tayer Insignia. “We have physical needs through their market-leading personal shopping services and sales
stores for Harvey Nichols Dubai and operate Bloomingdale’s in Dubai teams. Furthermore, their department stores also serve as an incubator
and Kuwait with the online business covering the GCC. We have also for new brands brought to market by their buyers who are on the pulse
developed Ounass, the leading luxury e-commerce platform and largest of the hottest trends. They are continually bringing exclusive brand and
luxury multi-brand destination whether it be physical or digital in the GCC, product curations to market and amplifying their existing brands via pop-
surpassing international peers.” ups and experiences.
The company has a continuous schedule of renovations and improvements “Our goal is always to put the customer at the heart of our brand
in their department stores to ensure they maintain best-in-class experiences experiences. Our loyalty program Amber is compelling, given the portfolio
for their customers and maximise the footprint of each store. and breadth of leading luxury brands we operate and has allowed us to
They also continue to invest in their omni-channel experience develop a strong understanding of our customer and how to entice and
through development, including enhancing the user experience of the retain them,” comments Khalid. “Our omni-channel approach allows
Bloomingdale’s App with personalisation and AI, reducing delivery time us to speak and service them at any touchpoint, whether it is online or
to two hours for Ounass and Bloomingdale’s and driving repeat purchases with a clear and defined journey in our physical stores with bespoke and
for beauty with a dedicated loyalty programme, Bloomingdale’s Beauty. personalised customer service.”
“We have several exciting renovation projects across our department Discussing the topic of social media and the important role it plays in
stores in the pipeline for the coming year, with multiple departments the modern retail world, Khalid explains that while it is a powerful channel
and customer experience areas being redesigned and redeveloped. to reach customers and influence and affect their purchase behaviour, it
Most notably, we are opening the first-ever Bloomingdale’s Beauty store must be approached carefully. He goes onto say creating content for their
concept in Abu Dhabi, which will offer an elevated beauty experience with brands that represent their luxury positioning and global outlook while
a focus on store digitisation to deliver a seamless omni-brand experience,” also having relevance and appeal to their customer is key.
Khalid explains. While sustainability is at the forefront of many global discussions, in