Debenhams continues its international expansion with its first ever store in the small former Soviet republic of Georgia.
As the population digests the results of their recent election, which saw both the ruling party and the opposition alliance claim victory, the UK's favourite department store is preparing to unveil its 11,300 sq ft branch in the state's capital Tbilisi this weekend.
Arranged over three floors the store will feature designer brands including: Henry Holland, Editions, Jasper, Duffer and Ben de Lisi. Women's wear and accessories will be on the ground floor, lingerie in the basement and men's and children's on the first floor.
Lingerie and the designer collections are expected to be popular with Georgian shoppers, particularly the Bra-fit days which will be offered twice a season.
The new store, on a former Peacocks site, will be run by Artur Hovsepy, a former manager for Peacocks and Next, who is currently attending language courses to improve his English.
The store, which is being opened with Gortenzia, Debenhams' partner in Georgia, is will open with no small amount of fanfare. It had its own Facebook page and Twitter account a month ago with almost 1,500 followers. It is the 70th international opening for the group and will be swiftly followed by two more in the Middle East.
On Saturday October 13th, Abu Dhabi will see the opening of a second Debenhams 29,600 sq ft store at the new Dalma Mall, near the International Airport in the East of the country close to the fastest growing, middle-class multi-cultural communities of Abu Dhabi, who wield significant spending power. And on the 20th of October a third 26,200 sq ft Debenhams store will open in Riyadh, in Rabwa. Both these latest two stores will be run by Debenhams' partner Alshaya Retail.
Debenhams opened its first ever store in Russia last month and aims to double the scale of its international business over the next five years with the growing consumer market in the Middle East playing a significant role in this strategy.
Says Debenhams International Director Francis McAuley: "We are delighted to finally open a store in Georgia. There are a growing number of international visitors to the country and an increasing interest in Western clothes designers and home wares that we are hoping to tap into.
"The store is in a great location and we are very pleased that its arrival is being greeted with such keen anticipation. We are confident that the range of products and prices will appeal to our new Georgian customers."
Debenhams is one of the leading British department store chains and has a legacy dating back to 1785. Debenhams trades out of 240 stores across 28 countries including Iran and Malaysia.
