2006
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Price hikes in Qatar
Consumers in Qatar are urging local authorities to stop medium sized and small supermarkets from hiking the price of goods according to The Peninsula, citing an Arabic daily. Shoppers claim that supermarkets in residential areas are charging between 10-15% more than larger hypermarkets for the same goods. Increased operating costs, including inflated rents, have been blamed for the price hikes.
Hamburg for Dubai event
Top German team Hamburg SV has been confirmed for the inaugural Dubai Football Challenge to be held at the Al Nasr Club from January 7-9. The Bundesliga outfit, which is sponsored by Emirates, will join the national teams of Iran and the UAE in the event. A fourth team will be confirmed shortly and will be either Werder Bremen or Bayern Munich from Germany or Spain's Atletico Madrid.
Dunhill plans regional expansion
Dunhill, the maker of luxury goods for men, is opening two new boutiques in the UAE before the end of March 2007, and will then expand into other GCC countries, the company said. It has four stores in the UAE at present.
Sharjah gears for torch relay
UAE national sporting identities will carry the Asian Games' torch through Sharjah on 16 November, Gulf News reported. The torch relay will also pass through Dubai and Abu Dhabi, then to Kuwait and Bahrain, before arriving at Doha, the host city to the games.
Splash makes Forbes top 40
Splash, a Dubai-based fashion retailer, has been included in a list of top 40 Arab brands by Forbes Arabia. The brand has 58 stores across the GCC and elsewhere in the region. Splash is also a Retail ME magazine "business excellence" award winner.
"ME from Space" book in Qatar
A new book featuring satellite images of the Middle East titled 'The Middle East from Space', published by Dubai-based Motivate publishing, was released in Qatar Tuesday, according to The Peninsula. Some of the aerial views take in Doha Port, The Pearl-Qatar and infrastructure for the 15th Asian Games.
Dubai not in Harrods' sights
UK department store Harrods says it has no plans at present to launch a store in Dubai, according to Retail Middle East magazine. A Dubai-based English daily had recently reported that a deal to bring the iconic store to Dubai was close to being settled.
Amwal buys Omar Effendi
Saudi-based Amwal has completed the purchase of 90% of Egypt's Omar Effendi department store chain for $102.9m, Reuters reported. The historic state company, which was founded in 1856 under the name Orosdi Black, has long dominated the retail sector. Amwal plans to spend more on developing the business.
Bonza gear on parade
Australian fashion designers are bringing their work to Dubai in December as part of an event organised by the Australian Trade Commission. Five designers will show their spring/summer collections at AusStyle on 5 December 2006. One designer, Camilla Franks, will be showcasing her new collection, which boasts a range of kaftans which are said to be worn by celebrities around the world.
Harry Winston opens watch boutique
Watchmaker Harry Winston says it has chosen Saudi Arabia to open its first exclusive watch boutique. The Rare Timepieces boutique is located in the Jewellery Centre in Jeddah. The decision to open in Saudi confirms a strong commitment to its high-end and faithful clientele in the Middle East, said regional director Christophe Nicaise.
Al Fahim puts in SAP Retail
Al Fahim Enterprises has adopted the SAP for Retail solution, which the company says will support its regional growth and help maximise profitability. The SAP NetWeaver platform will be initially rolled out across the group's companies in the UAE including Paris Gallery, its flagship brand.
$210m Gulf fake cosmetics business
The trade in fake cosmetics and toiletries in the Gulf is now worth around $210m, forcing major brands to invest in joint anti-counterfeiting drives in the Middle East and China, Gulf News reported. GCC authorities seized counterfeit products worth $50m between 2004-05, the bulk of which came from Saudi, according to industry reports cited by the daily.
Ted Baker opens in Dubai
British clothing brand Ted Baker has opened its first Dubai store at Burjuman Mall. It offers lines for both men and women. The company says 19 more stores are planned in the Middle East with local partner RSH Limited.
Swatch sales roar in region
Swiss watchmaker Swatch says the Middle East and North Africa region is its second fastest growing market for sales, and now accounts for 15% of global turnover, Emirates Today reported. In terms of growth, the region is not far behind the Far East, said a senior official. Watchmakers are now competing with mobile phones for sales as well as with each other.
UAE top for Swiss watches
More Swiss watches are imported into the UAE than any other country in the Middle East, according to watchmaker Baume & Mercier. Watches worth $283.39bn were brought into the country in 2005, followed by Saudi Arabia ($142m). The UAE ranked 11th in the world for imports, and Saudi 15th.
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