Giordano Middle East opens 200th Store

Giordano, the leading apparel retailer, has officially opened its 200^th Middle East store at Mushrif Mall, Abu Dhabi. The company, which has been operating in the Middle East for 18 years, is now on track to open 250 stores by 2015, company officials announced today.

During 2011, 14 new Giordano stores opened across the region.  With the new store in Abu Dhabi and an additional outlet in Kuwait, the company is also expanding rapidly across Saudi Arabia, with 12 new stores opened in the Kingdom in the year to date, and two more set to launch before year end. Complementing the retailer’s expansion plan is a large scale refurbishment programme across existing outlets in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with investments in new stores and renovations reaching over AED 25 million in 2011.

“We are in full-swing getting our shops closer to our customers across the region. The substantial investments earmarked for this expansion programme seal our commitment to be a leading player in the retail apparel industry not only in the Gulf but also across the Middle East, North Africa, Central Asia and the Asian sub-Continent. Since our first regional store opened in Burjuman in 1993, we have continued to grow and reaching our 200^th store landmark this year is an indication of our strength and success in the market. Our growth is all due to valued customers who have continuously supported and trusted our brand and our products,” said Ishwar Chugani, Executive Director at Giordano Middle East.

In the year to date, Giordano has posted double-digit year-on-year growth as a result of a streamlining of regional operations, and the rollout of high-demand product lines leading to low inventories and strengthened cash flow. “Giordano’s strategy of ‘less is more’ means we focus on the essentials – which provide the right product mix and choices for our customers. We have made it through 18 years here in the Region and we look forward to many more years to come. While many things have changed over the years, our promise will never waiver. Our customers are assured of a collection that is essential, relevant and of superior workmanship,” added Chugani.