Middle Eastern retail conglomerate Al-Futtaim is bringing Asian beauty retail brand Watsons to the Gulf in a partnership with AS Watson Group. The partnership marks AS Watson Group’s first franchise agreement in its almost 180-year of history and its first venture into the Middle East. The first Watsons flagship will launch in Dubai Mall on October 1 together with its e-commerce store and mobile app. Al-Futtaim said it plans to open 100 stores by the end of 2025. “As a local business operating across the globe, it is our duty to support and contribute to the economic growth of the region we belong to, while bringing quality and customer-oriented brands to our retail network,” said Omar Al Futtaim, vice chairman at Al-Futtaim Group. “Our partnership with A.S. Watson Group is another milestone in our journey to further enhance both the UAE and the Middle East’s position in the world’s top retail destinations map,” he said Al-Futtaim will roll out two more Watsons outlets in Dubai Festival City Center and The Mall of the Emirates by the end of this year. The beauty retailer will make its debut in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next year. “Al-Futtaim has impressed us with its proven experience and track record in quality management of retail brands,” said Dominic Lai, MD at AS Watson Group. “We are excited to partner with them to bring new offline and online beauty experiences as well as numerous trendy brands to customers in the region.”

Al-Futtaim brings Lutétia Paris, the leading aesthetic clinic to the Middle East, and will open in Dubai Festival City Mall. Nathanaël Aknine, Founder and President, Aesthetics, Al-Futtaim said “I’m very proud to be leading on the development of Al-Futtaim’s aesthetic proposition with the opening of our first clinic in the region. Here, we’ll be drawing upon the success of Lutétia, the renowned Paris-based clinic and DHI - world leaders in hair restoration.” This securement signals a first in the Middle East, as Al-Futtaim Malls continue to drive new and first-to-market retail experiences.

Most Admired Multiplex Chain in India, PVR Ltd. was incorporated in April 1995 pursuant to a JV between Priya Exhibitors Private Limited and Village Roadshow Limited, one of the largest exhibition companies in the world. PVR pioneered the multiplex revolution in India by establishing the first multiplex cinema in 1997 at Saket, New Delhi. Today, we own 445 screens spread across 101 cinemas covering 43 cities in India. PVR continues to provide superior quality ambiance, technologically updated systems, and best service standards to ensure customer delight and unmatched cinema viewing experiences. The company is head quartered in Gurgaon.

Dubai-based business house Al-Futtaim has announced a partnership with Middle-Eastern luxury goods expert Chalhoub Group to bring 150-year old Singapore department store Robinsons to the GCC and Middle-East region. In today’s announcement, Paul Delaoutre, former Managing Director of upscale French department store chain Galeries Lafayette, and current Al-Futtaim Retail President, said: “Al-Futtaim has already been operating four Robinsons department stores in Singapore and Malaysia and through our partnership with the Chalhoub Group we will bring this unique format department store to the Middle East expanding the brand’s footprint and strengthening its international appeal.” The first Robinsons store in the GCC and Middle-East region will open in spring 2017 at Al-Futtaim’s Dubai Festival City Mall after the current expansion project is completed. This pilot Robinsons will be a 3 level, 18,000sqm (almost 200,000 sq ft) destination, promised to be the first of many projects in the region. The Dubai Festival City Mall Robinsons store will offer a large selection of categories including fashion brands for women, men, kids, beauty, home and lifestyle. There will be restaurants and other unique services in store. Thierry Prevost, Managing Director of Fashion and Department store for Al-Futtaim Retail said: “The store will redefine fashion retail, with unique, innovative and interactive concepts, exclusive product offerings, innovative interior design and intuitive visual merchandising. We are very excited about the future of Robinsons in the Middle-East and look forward to making further announcements soon.” Al-Futtaim is familiar with Robinsons, as it acquired Robinsons in 2008 and already operates three Robinsons stores in Singapore and one in Malaysia. This will be its first foray into the GCC via its partnership with Chalhoub Group, who has vast Middle-East business experience through its current operations of 650 luxury fashion and beauty retail stores in the region.

The UAE's Al-Futtaim Group has won control of Singapore's department store chain Robinson and Company (RCL). The group, which made a cash bid through its investment arm Al-Futtaim Global Private Limited (ALF Global), has secured 88% of the shares of RCL. RCL operates renowned department and specialty stores including Robinsons, John Little, Marks & Spencer, Principles, Trucco, River Island and Fat Face in Singapore and Malaysia. The acquisition establishes Al-Futtaim Group as a significant presence in one of the most buoyant economies in the Southeast Asia region. ALF Global's move to raise its offer price to S$7.20 won over a majority of RCL's shareholders and earlier in the week the group was able to formally announce the offer had become unconditional. The S$0.20 increase represents a marginal shift from the S$7 a share price set in March. The offer opened at an initial S$6.25 a share when the bid was launched in January. By the beginning of the week ALF Global had secured in excess of 88% of RCL's shares. In its official announcement to the Singapore Exchange, ALF Global confirmed it had extended the closing date for the offer to April 30, from April 3. James Gillespie McCallum, director of ALF Global, said: "This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the RCL story. "We look forward to working with the Company's management to explore areas where RCL can leverage the Al-Futtaim group's retail expertise to further expand its platform in the region. "RCL has strong brand equity and an enviable heritage of meeting and exceeding customers' expectations. We fully intend to continue with and surpass this proud tradition." The acquisition of Singapore's oldest retailer represents a significant step for Al-Futtaim Group and signals its determination to extend its operations beyond its core GCC and MENA market and into Southeast Asia and neighbouring regions. ALF Global has been allocated a key role in establishing the group as an investment partner and owner for top tier businesses and leading brands in the South-east Asia region. Acquisition of RCL demonstrates its determination to partner with the very best businesses in the region. Stephen Riady, executive director of Auric Pacific Group Limited, a major stakeholder in RCL, said: "We are leaving RCL in good hands and the improved offer at S$7.20 represents a ‘win-win' for all parties." "We believe the Al-Futtaim Group understands and appreciates the RCL tradition and business and will be able to add significant value." Standard Chartered Plc and Baker & McKenzie Wong & Leow, Singapore, have advised ALF Global.