M&Co expands into Middle East

Scottish fashion retailer M&Co has announced plans to open four new stores in the United Arab Emirates this year, with an additional 50 new franchise stores planned globally in the next five years if market conditions allow.

The first Middle East store will be a 5,000 sq ft retail unit in the Dubai Mall, which is due to open in May, with a second store opening in the Dubai Marina Mall in June. This will then be followed by another two outlets in Abu Dhabi by autumn 2012.

Based outside Glasgow, M&Co is Scotland's largest independent fashion retailer, and has signed a franchise agreement with Liwa Trading Enterprises, the retail arm of Al Nasser Holdings, to open 30 stores in the Gulf Cooperation Council which includes: United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman.

Lee Braid, international franchise manager at M&Co, said: “Given the breadth of retail experience the company has in the region, this is a perfect partnership for the contemporary M&Co brand. We see the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East as a natural market to launch the brand overseas given our family appeal and strong fashion-focused, quality offering.

“Through this partnership we anticipate a significant increase in sales over the next five years with a more prominent focus on our premium fashion brands and high quality kids ranges which we expect will perform well in this market.”

The company founded nearly 50 years ago, operates around 300 stores across the UK, including three newly re-launched ‘City Concept’ stores, is also looking at additional franchise opportunities in Serbia, Russia and the Ukraine.