Luxury shoe firm eyes Middle East expansion

Luxury shoe specialist Kurt Geiger has teamed up with a Middle East retailer to open a string of stores in the Gulf region, it was announced today.

The shoe chain, much loved by celebrities, has set up a joint venture with Landmark Gulf Group to open 30 stores in the Middle East within five years.

The roll-out will begin with the opening of two Kurt Geiger stores in Dubai in early spring next year.

The partnership will further strengthen Kurt Geiger’s international presence in the luxury shoe and accessories market, although it is the first time the group has ventured into franchising.

Kurt Geiger is Europe’s largest luxury shoe retailer and the largest wholesaler of Gucci and Prada in Europe.

It has more than 70 brands in its portfolio, including Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Paul Smith, Versace and Christian Louboutin.

As well as standalone shops in the UK it has more than 70 concessions in department stores such as Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, House of Fraser, Fenwick and John Lewis.

The group began its international expansion in 2005, when it opened a concession in Printemps in Paris, which has since doubled in size.

This was followed by a move into the Italian market through a strategic partnership with La Rinascente store group, where it currently has three concessions and the potential for 17 more.

Neil Clifford, chief executive of Kurt Geiger, said today: “We are delighted to have signed the agreement with Landmark Gulf Group whose expertise and knowledge of the market place is unrivalled.

“As the largest retailer of luxury footwear in Europe, Kurt Geiger already trade successfully throughout the UK, Italy and Paris and we see the Gulf Region as a natural progression in the international growth of our business.”

Micky Jagtiani, chairman of Landmark Gulf Group, said: “As the region’s most successful footwear retailer, Landmark is proud to bring Kurt Geiger brand to the Gulf. We feel very confident that their products will be well received by our consumers and will add to our significant retail presence in the region.”