Logistics & Warehousing

Alshaya plans new logistics hub in KAEC

KAEC and Alshaya officials signing the contract

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the largest privately funded new city development in the world, has signed a contract with Alshaya International Trading Company, a leading international retail franchise business, to lease 91,000 sq m area located in the third phase of the Industrial Valley.

A major player in Saudi Arabia, Alshaya offers consumers a wide portfolio of more than 40 retail brands including Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, and Victoria’s Secret, with over 800 stores across the kingdom.

The new lease will support Alshaya’s ongoing expansion plans in Saudi Arabia by providing the location for a new west coast logistics hub, said a statement from KAEC.

The Industrial Valley enjoys a direct connection to the King Abdullah Port, which is strategically located on the Red Sea, one of the region’s most important maritime channels for international cargo transport. It is also supported with well-planned infrastructure, allowing Alshaya to expand its logistics expansion at pace, it added.

Saudi Arabia is one of Alshaya’s largest operating markets and the company expects to open over 150 new stores there next year, with ongoing expansion continuing into 2018 and beyond, revealed Mohammed Alshaya, the executive chairman of MH Alshaya Company, after signing the contract with Fahd Al Rasheed, the group chief executive and managing director.

“Our growth depends on having an efficient supply chain to ensure we can provide our customers with new products in a timely way and we are confident that our investment in the King Abdullah Economic City will support our goals,” he said.

Welcoming Alshaya to the fold, Al Rasheed said: “Our open door policy towards inward investment continues to attract world-class international companies, supporting the city’s growth and contributing to the government’s vision for the future of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy.”

KAEC: attracting internatonal companies

KAEC: attracting internatonal companies

The Industrial Valley has already attracted 120 major local, regional and international companies, of which 25 have already gone live with their operations and 35 are currently completing their facilities, he stated.

Rayan Qutub, the chief executive of the Industrial Valley at KAEC, said: “Alshaya›s decision to commence operations in the Industrial Valley further cements our reputation as the first choice for leading companies seeking to establish or expand their presence in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region.”

“We look forward to demonstrating how our strategic location and our extensive trade and logistics infrastructure will support the company’s expanding operations and its continuing success,” he added.

 

ALSHAYA TO OPEN 32 BRANDS

The international retail franchise operator, is also preparing to open 32 brands at the prestigious new Mall of Qatar– including eight brands that will be making their debut appearance in Qatar.

The Mall, a major new retail, leisure and entertainment venue in Al Rayyan, opens for trading in the coming weeks.

The brands opening for the first time in Qatar include The Cheesecake Factory, Victoria’s Secret, Texas Roadhouse, Le Pain Quotidien, Bridgewater Chocolate, Phase Eight, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids. They will join a stellar line-up of some of the world’s best-loved brands at the Mall, including Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, The Body Shop and Boots.

“Alshaya’s strong presence at Mall of Qatar is a strong signal of our commitment to the Qatar market, which forms an important part of our ongoing growth plans across the Middle East,” said Alshaya’s senior vice-president for Property Development, John Hadden.

“We’re continually looking for opportunities to introduce our portfolio of well-loved international brands to our customers in our core markets, and the scale and vision of the Mall of Qatar gives us a great opportunity to extend the shopping and dining choices available to discerning, brand-savvy consumers in Qatar.”

Alshaya already operates more than 100 stores in Qatar, across retail sectors that include fashion and footwear, food, health and beauty, pharmacy, optics and home furnishings. The opening of 32 brands at Mall of Qatar represents Alshaya’s single biggest opening in the country.