Columbus, Ohio — DSW Inc. has signed with Apparel Group to be its exclusive franchise partner in the Middle East. The agreement will expand DSW into Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Oman and with 40 new stores, with the first stores opening in 2017.
The stores in the Middle East will be in both malls and on high street locations, with the initial stores averaging approximately 15,000 square feet.
“We are thrilled to bring DSW to new markets outside North America,” says Simon Nankervis, DSW’s chief commercial officer. “We are excited to work with the Apparel Group, who has a track record of introducing and successfully developing international brands across the Middle East.”
“We look forward to launching our partnership with DSW in the Gulf region,” says Nilesh Ved, founder and chairman, Apparel Group. “There is a strong demand for the DSW brand in this market.”
Adds Ved: “We have expanded tremendously in 2016 and have added almost 10 new international brands to our portfolio this year. This agreement with DSW is yet another important milestone as we continue to focus on accelerating our retail expansion in the region.”
DSW Inc. operates 480 stores in 42 states and also supplies footwear to 387 locations in the United States operated by Steinmart, Gordman’s and Frugal Fannie’s under its Affiliate Business Group. Through its partial ownership of Town Shoes of Canada, DSW also operates 17 stores in Canada. For more information, visit http://www.dswinc.com.
Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The multi-retail conglomerate that began with just one brand in 1999 is now aiming to have 1,500 stores by the end of 2016. It represents retail brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Aldo, Nine West, Skechers, Aeropostale, The Children’s Place, Tim Hortons and Charles & Keith. For more information, visit www.appareluae.com.
SOURCE: DSW Inc.