Next founder eyes Middle East

George Davies, the retail entrepreneur who founded Next and George at Asda and designed the Per Una fashion collection for Marks & Spencer, is to open a 60-branch childrenswear chain in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The launch will be through a joint venture with Fawaz Alhokair Group, a leading Saudi Arabian property and retail business.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph Mr Davies, 69, also reveals that he came close to retiring from the retail world earlier this year – the only time he has considered quitting in more than 50 years in the retail sector.

The Middle East move will represent the first time he has launched an entirely new retail chain overseas. "I've been asked many times to do another George abroad," he says. "It's not that I didn't want to but the creative side of me wanted to do something a little bit different. "Fawaz Alhokair is one of the best groups in the Middle East. They've got 11 shopping malls in Saudi Arabia plus interests in Egypt. I've known them for years."We're going to do men's, women's and kids' clothing. The first one is for 60 standalone childrenswear shops but there will be other bigger ones interests other markets"