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.

Dubai-based Al Futtaim announced on Tuesday it has signed an agreement with PVR Limited, a film exhibition company in India, to establish a joint venture cinema business in the Middle East and North Africa. Al Futtaim said it sees “great potential” in the cinema business in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia after the kingdom’s government reopened the cinema industry that had been closed for decades. The companies have already identified locations within Al Futtaim’s projects such as Dubai Festival City and Festival Plaza. They are also in discussions with landlords to secure other locations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, Al Futtaim said in a statement. “PVR is the perfect partner for Al Futtaim, given its 20 years’ proven track record of operating and creating experiential cinema formats …” said Marwan Shehadeh, group director of corporate development at Al Futtaim. The joint venture will introduce a range of experiential cinema formats to the region including PVR’s Director’s Cut, a format described by the companies as blending hospitality and entertainment. The deal comes as cinema operators aim to capitalise on the opening of the cinema industry in Saudi Arabia as well as consumer spending trends in the UAE. Operators including Majid Al Futtaim’s VOX Cinemas have already opened multiplexes in Saudi Arabia, with plans to launch more screens. In the UAE, operators are eyeing novel ways to open cinemas, with a focus on experiential formats. In April, American restaurateur and chef Guy Fieri teamed up with Dubai’s Reel Cinemas to launch a dine-in cinema concept where customers can be served a meal as they watch a film.

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.