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…
Luxury's new Paradise 