Saks Expanding Presence in Middle East, Japan

DUBAI, UAE-Two years after opening its first international-licensed store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saks Incorporated has entered into a licensing agreement that will add four stores in the Middle East and as many as 10 in Japan in coming years.

With regard to the Middle East, the New York-based retailer says a group of businesses there have formed Style Avenue Middle East to own and operate a total of four stores in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Specifics for two of the stores are now known.

The first store will be located at Bur Juman Centre in Dubai. The 80,000-sf store will open in February 2004, offering exclusive designer and contemporary apparel, shoes, and accessories; fine and fashion jewelry; cosmetics and fragrances; children’s apparel; and gifts for the home. A smaller Saks Fifth Avenue “satellite” store is scheduled to open in the Landmark Shopping Center in Doha, Qatar in fall 2004. This store will offer designer handbags, accessories, cosmetics and fragrances, fine jewelry, and a small collection of designer and contemporary sportswear.