To boost its presence in the GCC region, particularly in Gulf and the Middle East, The House of Smalto, a high-end fashion brand from Paris, has entered into a partnership deal with regional luxury retail operator Chalhoub Group. Following the deal, Chalhoub Inc, a subsidiary of the Chalhoub Group specializing in the retailing, distribution and marketing of luxury brands in the Middle East, would gain exclusive distribution rights for Smalto's products in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. Commenting on the deal, Smalto Managing Director Thierry Le Guénic said they meant to speed up their overseas development, especially in the Middle East, through an extensive distribution network for which they preferred to associate with Chalhoub Group. According to a company statement, the entire range of Smalto collections, including the Smalto made-to-measure service for suits and shirts and stitched clothing and accessories, would be launched in the Middle East. The company, which now marks its presence in the Atlantis Hotel and Al Qasr Hotel and also a concession in Galeries Lafayette in Dubai Mall and two outlets in Doha, plans to start five brand outlets in the GCC region from 2014, and also to raise its presence in multi-brand stores, the statement added. Chalhoub Group Co-Director Patrick Chalhoub said they are happy to help Smalto with its expansion in the GCC region and added that the menswear range of Smalto would appeal to their domestic as well as global customers. The agreement, he said, is the authentication of the trust they pose in Smalto and the prospects it has in the Middle East.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
