Paris Gallery to launch 'New Generation' store at Ibn Battuta Mall

Having firmly established itself as a foremost retailer of luxury goods and services in the Middle East, Paris Gallery has embarked on the next stage of its evolution with new concept - 'New Generation Paris Gallery Beauty and Luxury Department Store'.

The store will offer a new look, new product offerings, and an entirely new concept for the interior and exterior design. Leading edge design principles and unique architectural features have been developed to give the brand a distinct retail language, while still retaining the characteristic Paris Gallery feel.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Nakheel, said: "We are extremely proud that Paris Gallery has chosen Ibn Battuta Mall as the home for its first 'New Generation' store. As soon as a customer sets foot in any Paris Gallery store, they are treated as honoured guests and traditional Arab hospitality is delivered with contemporary panache - a philosophy which we naturally embrace at Ibn Battuta Mall.

"Paris Gallery constitutes a valuable customer service by providing the option of luxury brands within mixed retail mall developments. The new, ultra-modern and strategic brand positioning of the 'New Generation Paris Gallery' truly reflects its premier market position in the Middle East region and I have no doubts that the new concept will ensure its remarkable success will continue long into the future."

Abdullah Al Fahim, Chairman and Managing Director of Paris Gallery, said: "Most of us, whether we like it or not, are creatures of habit; we continue to do things because they have worked successfully in the past. Recently, we have the opportunity to be a little detached and witness a new vision in the luxury retail arena; that of a New Generation Paris Gallery.

"Today we embark on the next stage of our evolutionary trajectory that extends to a new look and new product offerings, so as to not only meet customers' expectations, but exceed their expectations. Where better to commence this evolvement than at Ibn Battuta Mall."

For its 'New Generation' concept, Paris Gallery has moved away from the linear layout of the traditional store, creating a softer atmosphere, which encourages customer flow around the store. The new look incorporates the use of graphics in tonal shades, featuring images taken directly from nature. The new look seamlessly blends with the stunning architectural concept of Ibn Battuta Mall, which has provided an enticing lure to the thousands of visitors who have poured through the doors since opening in April.

Lloyd Blakey, Creative Head of international strategic consultancy Portland Design, said: "We wanted to create a look that was natural and fresh; something that looked like it was changing all the time. It was important for the brand to create an environment that was welcoming and comfortable, and above all, customer service oriented.

"When planning the store layout, we were very conscious of the cultural issues that are part of everyday life in the Arab world, and have used architectural elements to help create areas of greater privacy, as well as customer service areas away from the main thrust of the store."

The architectural language of the store ensures that the look throughout the store us consistent and unmistakably Paris Gallery, while also acting as a framework for a variety of luxury brands, including Valmont, Micallef, Hind al Oud, and Lalique, to market themselves effectively.

Blakey added: "This is a key element in the design. With so many brands, all with strong identifies, being marketed in one store, we needed a coherent structure to hold everything together."

From humble beginnings in the Gold Souk in Sharjah, UAE to the current network of state-of-the-art flagship stores across the Gulf, today, Paris Gallery has regional retail space presence in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Beginning with perfumery, Paris Gallery today carries an impressive product offering comprising cosmetics, fragrances, sunglasses, optics, crystalware, watches, accessories and leather goods; the future will see the top luxury goods and service provider adding to its product offering with jewellery, coffee shops, and ready to wear boutiques.

The future is poised to see selective expansion in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In terms of regional space, Paris Gallery's remarkable growth has gone from just 115 sq. metres in 1981, to 185,000 sq. metres in 2003, and will touch an impressive 352,000 sq. metres by 2007.

Indicative of Paris Gallery's status as the leading retail market leader in the Middle East, no less than 5 million customers have to date visited Paris Gallery's chain of stores in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. By 2007, Paris Gallery is targeting 9 million customer visitors in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Lebanon.