Guy Degrenne arrives in Gulf as furniture, home decoration market reaches $600 mln

International players should look to the expanding Middle East home decoration market, which was worth US$ 600 mln in the UAE alone last year, according to a regional expert.

French brand Guy Degrenne – manufacturer of exclusive home and kitchen ware – is to open a number of retail outlets, in order to address this regional demand.

Al Khayyat Investments, a leader in retail franchising in the Middle East, has signed a master franchise agreement to exclusively operate the unique Guy Degrenne retail outlets in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain and one flagship cookery school.

“We are delighted to announce this exclusive agreement with prestigious global retail brand Guy Degrenne,” said Ahmed Al Khayyat, Board Member, Al Khayyat Investments. “We see huge potential for the furniture and home decoration sector in the region with more than 40,000 residential units being built annually until 2010, just in the UAE. We are confident that Guy Degrenne brand will experience immense success in the region.”

A total of 15 outlets located in major regional shopping malls are due to open in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain in the next two years following the signing.

“This is our first largest master franchise since our inception in 1947. Guy Degrenne will be the only brand in the Middle East to offer to customers both casual and formal ranges of porcelain, cutlery, glassware, kitchenware, table and kitchen linen and children’s collections in lively and colorful shops. Customers will be able to use Guy Degrenne products at the cookery school and share the chefs’ tips, together with their family and friends,” said Philippe Lassaux, Head of Master Franchise Development, Guy Degrenne.

“Major real estate developers in the region have shown high interest in hosting these outlets in forthcoming shopping malls. Renowned Dubai chefs have also expressed their willingness to share their passion at the cookery school,” added Clive Stanley, Head of Retail, Alphamed Group, a member of Al Khayyat Investments.

Through its hospitality division, Guy Degrenne already works in the Middle East with renowned hotel chains and airline groups such as Royal Air Jordanian and Qatar Airways.