Japanese motor accessories giant announces UAE move

Yellow Hat to open 30 stores across the Gulf

Sharaf Group is happy to announce it will open the region's first Yellow Hat store, one of the world's largest chains of auto accessory superstore and service centres, with over 500 stores throughout Asia.

With the first Dubai store slated to open early January 2008, Sharaf Group as the master franchisee is planning to roll out a minimum of twelve stores throughout the UAE within five years.

Founded in Japan in 1961, Yellow Hat boasts a turnover in excess of $1.1bn through offering a huge range of quality car products at affordable prices in a superstore format.

Sharaf Group is one of the most diverse business houses in the UAE, operating in the fields including retail, shipping, real estate, finance, travel and tourism.

Stocking thousands of different products from hundreds of manufacturers around the world, the Yellow Hat store, at Times Square Centre, will offer everything from car air fresheners, oil and chemicals to alloy wheels, in-car electrical products, child safety seats and car batteries. As a one stop shop for all auto accessory needs, Yellow Hat also offers an installation and service facility for all the products on sale.

Customers can already discover many of the products offered in-store from the comfort of the internet by visiting www.YellowHat.ae, where a colourful and easy to use website is constantly updated with stock and special offers.

Sharaf Group's vice chairman, Sharafuddin Sharaf, says: "This is an exciting time for us as the Dubai opening will herald the beginning of a new era in auto accessory retailing for the Middle East. Most other parts of the developed world offer this format of auto superstore and we are convinced Yellow Hat will prove incredibly popular with the region's car-savvy consumers.

"Our high standard showrooms have all exciting products functionally displayed to promote customer interaction. Browsers can check out the ten metre wall of sound in the audio department and the demo cars on display, showing exactly what your car could look like after giving it the 'Yellow Hat treatment'."

With a policy of only dealing with the highest quality suppliers from around the world, Yellow Hat will also stock an exclusive range of products normally only sold in Japan offering the highest quality specifications in the world. Many of the favourite local and international brands will also be available alongside other exclusive products from these brands that will be available only from UAE Yellow Hat stores.

Yousuf Sharaf, Sharaf Group's managing director, added: "Pricing is very important to Yellow Hat and we ensure prices are constantly checked to ensure we are highly competitive. Our showrooms always offer a range of prices for each product sold with our products costing from Dh 2 up to Dh 20,000. Therefore, whatever car type or particular need you have Yellow Hat should offer a competitively priced option.

"Customers can expect the highest quality service from our knowledgeable staff who are undergoing continuous and vigorous product and technical training courses before the opening day and all year round."

Yellow Hat will also offer superior warranties for many products, with selected products offering one-for-one replacement on faulty products from 30 days after purchase up-to 24 months and repair warranties on products of up to five years. Also, if Yellow Hat installs any product purchased from its showroom an extra one year of warranty will be added free of charge.