The Doha-based footwear manufacturer Fantino Leather Industries WLL is to invest over one million Emirati dirhams in the region's retail sector to meet increasing demand for traditional Arabian style sandals. The company plans to set-up its own brand retail outlets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
“Having already tested this formula with low-key investments in shops in Qatar and the Emirates we've decided to increase our presence in the market by setting-up retail brand outlets in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi. By end of this year we hope to have five outlets open,” said Bilal Chahine, Fantino general manager.
“When we started our manufacturing unit in Qatar ten years ago it was only 400 square meters with machinery and man-power to produce about 20 pairs a day. This facility has now grown twenty fold to accommodate 400 pairs a day,” he added.
Future investment plans for Fantino include a factory in one of the free zones in the Emirates. Fantino will also continue to manufacture for other retail outlets in the region. Fantino will seek to increase its brand awareness in the market through its participation in Motexha Autumn 2002. “We intend to launch at the show our new designs and our orthopedic range of sandals.”
The international fashion and retail show will be taking place at the Dubai International Exhibition Center from September 23–26, 2002. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
