Cartier inaugurated its flagship in Dubai
The watchmaker opened on Thursday his biggest shop in the Middle East: it is 700 square meters and is situated in the quite new shopping mall ” Dubai Mall ”
Cartier says considers that the inhabitants of emirates and the tourists visiting Dubai will continue to buy jewels and luxury accessories in spite of the current economic difficulties.
The VIP evening counted prestigious guests come from France, from all the Middle East as well as the celebrities of Bollywood.
We were so able to see Monica Bellucci beside Anil Kapoor, the actor of Slumdog Millionaire.
On 300 shops that the brand counts Cartier has fault the world, 12 are in the Middle East among which 4 in United Arab Emirates.
The region should soon count 6 more according to Bernard Fornas, the CEO of Cartier
Lebanon: Beirut wants to become again a shop window of the luxury
Dethroned by Dubai, Beirut plans to become again a destination privileged for the luxury in the Middle East, with the presence of big names such Dior or Louis Vuitton, and modern “souks” which will offer the ultimate of the shopping.
” The luxury nibbles at more space and extends as a task of oil “, says Guillaume Boudisseau, of the consulting firm real estate Ramco in Beirut.
The city center will soon inaugurate what was, 20 years ago, a battlefield in full civil war: his former popular souks, reconstructed by the real estate giant Solidere in a version more sophisticated for more than 100 million dollars.
Beside consumer brands, these souks 400 projects of stores, among which 49 of the jewels will count signs such Yves Saint Laurent, Chloé, Burberry or Vivienne Westwood.
They adjoin streets Foch and Allenby, sorts of avenue Montaigne or Sloane Street, which will also welcome new luxury brands.
The city center is the passage obliged for the luxury in the Lebanon, in reference to the already implanted marks such Armani, Berluti, at the houses of famous fashion designers Lebanese as Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad, and the most expensive hotels of the Lebanon.
The market in Beirut increases of about 15 % in annual rhythm, with customers who don’t hesitating to spend up to 200.000 dollars by season.
Nicknamed the ” Paris of the Middle East ” in the years 1950-60, Beirut again stood out as the shop window of the luxury in the 90s, in spite of the economic slump.
But with the murder of the leader Rafic Hariri in 2005, which plunged the country for a period of instability, Dubai sharply got the upper hand thanks to investments which blew up the number of shops selling luxury goods.
Today, the world crisis which struck quite hard the countries of the Gulf could bring some change
«We will be lucky to conquer the first place because Dubai suffered enormously, even if it stays number one in terms of volume and purchasing power “, underlines Mr Salamé. ” His clientele, Russian millionaires who made between 60 and 65 % of turnovers, disappeared “.
To reach this objective requires stability in the country to attract the investments and develop a market capable of competing with that of the Dubai.
the Lebanese capital has an asset of size, that of the image.” For the Arabs, our capital remains the window on all which is connected “, says Mr Salamé, with whom the group invested15 million dollars in about fifteen new shops.
Luxury stores are situated in elegant pedestrian alleys with architecture which dates the French mandate (1923-1943).
The French luxury in the conquest of the Gulf
In front of the crisis, the Colbert committee grouping 70 French luxury brands accelerates its presence in the Middle East, in the Kuwait, in Qatar, in Saudi Arabia, or in United Arab Emirates.
The market of the countries of the Gulf represents 6 to 8 % of the turnover of the French luxury houses. But for the hotel business, the flavours, the cosmetics or the high jewelry, this proportion can climb until 30 %, in particular in Abu Dhabi, in United Arab Emirates.
Abu Dhabi, new capital of the luxury?
it is not always easy to established in Abu Dhabi when you are a foreign company.The local financial support is indispensable, but then it is necessary to compose with the wishes of some and the others.
it is necessary to have a big perseverance; it is necessary extremely well organized.
However it is not enough to discourage the French luxury brands. Except hotels, and wines and spirits, 90 % of the houses of the Committee Colbert are already implanted in the countries of the Gulf. And they have big ambitions for the future in this region.
” We really decided to accélèrer these setting-up: there are more than 30 openings of shops this year in 2009: five for Van Cleef, four for Lenôtre, three for ST DUPONT “, underlines Elisabeth Ponsolle Desportes, general delegate of the Committee Colbert.
Eurocopter so delivered to the sheik of Abu Dhabi, at the end of May, the first helicopter dressed by Hermes…
Welcome in the Luxury’s Paradise
It is no secret that in Dubai, bigger is better. The world’s fastest growing city is home to the tallest building, the largest man-made Marina and now one of the biggest malls on earth, that mixes two of the city’s famed passions; breaking world records and shopping.
Opened in October 2008, The Dubai Mall is over 12 million square feet of retail paradise, boasting an entire ‘precinct’ devoted to haute couture. Fashion Avenue houses more than 70 signature brand stores, some the most capacious and extravagant in the world.
The long list of retailers reads like a who’s who of international luxury; from Chanel and Versace to Chloe and Alexander McQueen. You can browse Burberry, indulge in evening wear from Cavalli or bag the latest Hermes accessories. Literally every sartorial whim is catered for.
Legendary brand Mulberry were among the first to open their doors in 2009, launching their Spring 09 Collection, the first designed by Emma Hill, their new Creative Director. “The UAE and Dubai in particular is an amazing, emerging market,” says Vanessa Lunt, Mulberry’s Communications Director in the UK. “We know the customers are well traveled. For that reason, we wouldn’t want to diversify and from our experiences with UAE customers in our Bond Street store.”
Jo Malone, another very exclusive London retailer, has chosen to showcase her unique concept at Dubai Mall. Her combination of delicately perfumed products, elegant packaging and bespoke fragrances has won a loyal following in the UK. Now at her debut boutique in the Middle East, visitors will be treated to the full Jo Malone experience including the signature service that demonstrates how to mix your own scents.
The Mall is designed to cater to high-spending VIPs, with dedicated services like the VIP drop off and valet entrance that leads directly into the Fashion Avenue atrium. The atrium itself is impressive. Clad in onyx with a white marble floor and carved glass ceiling, you are left in no doubt that you are entering a shrine to luxury retail.
Luxury's new Paradise 