Al Futtaim in joint venture to launch Robinsons

Dubai: Two UAE based retail groups have come together to launch the first Robinsons fashion department store in the region. The first of the Singapore-based brand will open in the Spring of 2017 at the Dubai Festival City Mall, currently in a major expansion mode. The store will spread over 18,000 square metres across three levels.

“Al-Futtaim has already been operating four Robinsons department stores in Singapore and Malaysia,” said Paul Delaoutre, President — Retail, Al-Futtaim. “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.”

It was in 2008 that Al-Futtaim acquired the Robinsons Group, regarded as Singapore’s legacy retailer having been in existence now for 150 years. The Group currently operates three Robinsons stores in Singapore and one in Malaysia.

According to Patrick Chalhoub, Chief Executive of Chalhoub Group, “We are excited about this partnership as we will be combining Al Futtaim’s vast experience of operating over 200 companies with our intimate knowledge of the Middle East luxury market, to deliver the most relevant offer of the department store adapted to the Middle East customer.”