The American fashion brand Nautica re-launched its store at The Dubai Mall this week with new franchise partner Apparel Group.
US Consul General Nasir Abbasi inaugurated the store in the presence of Patricia Canavan, vice president and general manager – Nautica Licensing and Sima Ved, vice chairperson, Apparel Group.
Nautica, established in New York City in 1983, currently has 12 stores in the GCC region, and is aiming to add another 18 stores in the next five years, according to Canavan.
“From a population perspective, Saudi Arabia represents the greatest opportunity for expansion. We are looking at opening in the tier two cities as well,” she says.
The company also believes that Saudi Arabia holds the biggest potential for the growth of its online business.
“There would be two more store openings this year in the GCC. One of the locations we are looking at is the Avenues Mall in Kuwait, while the second is in Jeddah. Together with the Apparel Group, we have overhauled the flagship store at The Dubai Mall. We are reintroducing the brand in various ways and as a new retail concept in Dubai,” Canavan says.
“The re-launch at The Dubai Mall was spurred by the change in partnership. We felt that there was a need to get out of certain locations that may not have been brand appropriate. Certain commercial centres become obsolete over time,” she concludes.