Majid Al-Futtaim to market Italy’s Poltrona Frau in region

Majid Al-Futtaim to market Italy’s Poltrona Frau in region
Poltrona Frau’s exquisite craftsmanship adorns some of the world’s iconic museums, hotels and theaters.
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Updated 30 January 2023

Majid Al-Futtaim to market Italy’s Poltrona Frau in region

Majid Al-Futtaim to market Italy’s Poltrona Frau in region

Majid Al-Futtaim, a leading retail, shopping mall, communities and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, has announced a strategic partnership with Poltrona Frau, the century-old luxury Italian furniture brand.

As part of the agreement, Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle has acquired the rights to Poltrona Frau products in the UAE, marking its first entry into the luxury home category.

Poltrona Frau’s worldwide expansion strategies have seen the brand become an internationally influential benchmark, boasting 15 flagship stores, 165 single-brand stores and around 280 multibrand stores across five continents. Continuing on its success, Poltrona Frau saw a 20 percent growth in revenue in 2022, compared to 2021, due to a strong increase within the brand’s residential unit and a strong recovery of public projects.

Fahed Ghanim, chief executive of Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Poltrona Frau’s Italian masterpieces into Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle’s burgeoning collection of world-class international brands. This partnership supports our geographical and brand expansion strategy at a time of recording year-on-year double digit growth and is designed to accelerate Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle’s journey of transforming the customer experience in the region. At Majid Al-Futtaim, we continuously seek unique diversification opportunities that complement our existing portfolio with brands that require their own distinct strategies.”

As part of Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle’s expansion plans for Poltrona Frau, the company will bring the legacy of Italian excellence to some of the best shopping destinations in the region, including the opening of a Poltrona Frau flagship showroom in Mall of the Emirates later this year. In addition, the brand’s existing Jumeirah store will be expanded and transformed, inspired by the iconic Poltrona Frau Via Manzoni showroom.

Founded in 1912 in Turin, Italy, Poltrona Frau has given more than a century of life and culture to leather, meticulously following an industry-leading 21-step tanning process to create timeless pieces which express universal yet personal elegance and stand out for their savoir-faire. The brand’s leadership in the global leather industry led to the coinage of the term Poltrona Frau Leathership and its exquisite craftsmanship adorns some of the world’s iconic museums, hotels, theaters, embassies, travel lounges, airline interiors as well as the bespoke upholstery of automotive giants such as Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Land Rover, to name just a few.

Nicola Coropulis, chief executive of Poltrona Frau, said: “The partnership with Majid Al-Futtaim is the first step of a journey that aims to cement Poltrona Frau as the ultimate luxury lifestyle brand in the UAE, and the Middle East, and provide the most elite customers with exclusive solutions for their homes, offices and public spaces based on excellent quality and service. We believe Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle’s vast ecosystem and its ability to interpret the true spirit of a brand and, ultimately, their people, will help elevate Poltrona Frau to the next level and accelerate our growth strategy across the region.”

The expansion of Majid Al-Futtaim Lifestyle compliments the group’s existing portfolio, which includes eight franchise brands, two homegrown brands and more than 70 stores across the GCC spanning fashion, home, multibrand, specialty retail and beauty, as well as 18 online platforms.


LuLu wins CPA’s consumer experience award

LuLu wins CPA’s consumer experience award
Updated 29 March 2023

LuLu wins CPA’s consumer experience award

LuLu wins CPA’s consumer experience award

The Consumer Protection Association has awarded LuLu Saudi Arabia the “Excellence in Consumer Experience” award. Khozama Hall in Riyadh hosted the awards ceremony on March 15. Shehim Mohammed, director of LuLu Saudi Arabia, received the award on behalf of LuLu Saudi Hypermarkets.

“We place our customers at the center of everything we do at LuLu. We strive to provide a memorable shopping experience and to exceed their expectations. Having been bestowed with this award demonstrates our commitment to providing exceptional customer service. Thank you for this recognition by the Consumer Protection Association, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers well,” Mohammed said.

LuLu Saudi Arabia strives to provide the best shopping experience and customer satisfaction. In order to create a customer-centric environment, the group offers high-quality products and services, competitive prices, and a variety of options to choose from.

 


Centrepoint embraces holy month with ‘Ramadan In Bloom’ campaign

Centrepoint embraces holy month with ‘Ramadan In Bloom’ campaign
Updated 29 March 2023

Centrepoint embraces holy month with ‘Ramadan In Bloom’ campaign

Centrepoint embraces holy month with ‘Ramadan In Bloom’ campaign

Centrepoint has unveiled its “Ramadan In Bloom” campaign, bringing together stellar collections from its four bespoke brands. The region’s leading one-stop fashion destination entwines the essence of spring and Ramadan to create a unique and captivating edit for the holy month.
The retailer has announced the season’s latest drops from Splash, Shoemart and Babyshop with an exclusive campaign that comes to life through a series of stunning visuals. The campaign revolves around celebrating the beauty of nature while rediscovering the beauty within oneself. As the world blossoms, so can you too, this Ramadan. Set in a soft and romantic mood, a sea of flowers harmoniously envelops the collection creating a dreamy escape that celebrates the joy and delight of the season.
Flaunting an elegant and modest collection, Splash combines regional-inspired motifs and patterns with statement silhouettes to curate a sophisticated wardrobe that will have you covered from dusk to dawn. Think graceful, contemporary, and fluid looks that exude opulence and effortless style.

FASTFACT

Babyshop further completes the offering, with the girls’ line featuring dramatic bows and eye-catching florals, and the boys’ collection boasting unique geometric prints.

True to its ethos of comfort and on-trend footwear and accessories, Shoemart showcases a myriad of showstopping footwear and handbags for women. Complete your look with a collection accentuated by its bold design, dazzling embellishments, and lustrous textures. The men’s line combines traditional staples with a contemporary edge, featuring a range of sandals and slip-ons, complete with relaxed casual favorites.
Babyshop further completes the offering with a playful wardrobe for the little ones. The girls’ line sees dramatic bows and eye-catching florals, while the boys’ collection boasts unique geometric prints. This holy month, Centrepoint stores are wrapped in the dreamy cloud of bloom while they playfully celebrate the spirit of spring and the festivities of Ramadan.
The collections from its four brands showcase “a perfect blend of traditional and modern designs, catering to the fashion preferences of every member of the family,” the retailer said.
Positioning itself as the go-to family destination for Ramadan in the region, Centrepoint’s “Ramadan In Bloom” collection launches across its retail outlets, as well as online on www.centrepointstores.com.

 


Bab Rizq Jameel celebrates coffee program graduates

The program, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, contributes to improving the readiness of young people to
The program, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, contributes to improving the readiness of young people to
Updated 29 March 2023

Bab Rizq Jameel celebrates coffee program graduates

The program, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, contributes to improving the readiness of young people to

Bab Rizq Jameel, part of Community Jameel Saudi, celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of Saudi men and women in the “Training Ending with Employment in the Coffee Sector Program.” The graduation ceremony coincided with the national campaign to celebrate the inaugural Social Responsibility Day in Saudi Arabia.
The program launched during the Year of Saudi Coffee 2020, under the patronage of the Culinary Arts Commission of the Saudi Ministry of Culture. Due to the program’s great results, the second edition will be launched in partnership with the Arabian Coffee Institute, and will include 40 new participants to be trained in several cities across the Kingdom.

Dr. May Taibah, Director of Bab Rizq Jameel


The graduation ceremony was held in Jeddah at the Nafisa Shams Academy Hall, in the presence of Dr. May Taibah, member of the board of trustees at Community Jameel Saudi and director of Bab Rizq Jameel; Mohammed Abdul Ghaffar, general manager of entrepreneurship and social initiatives at Community Jameel Saudi; Abdalla Aly Taleb Abd Elrahman Abou Anza, manager for social initiatives at Community Jameel Saudi, along with the graduates and their families. Also present were representatives of the program’s partners, including the Arab Coffee Institute, Zed Café, and Overdose.

HIGHLIGHT

Due to the program’s great results, the second edition will be launched in partnership with the Arabian Coffee Institute, and will include 40 new participants to be trained in several cities across the Kingdom.

The program, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, including the Human Capability Development Program and the National Transformation Program, contributes to improving the readiness of young people to enter the labor market. The program works to support reducing the unemployment rate to 7 percent, celebrating the authenticity of Saudi coffee, and enhancing the growth and global competitiveness of the Kingdom’s coffee industry. Embodying the essence of social responsibility in the Kingdom, the program supports the transition from charitable giving to a more sustainable contribution, creating a more profound and lasting impact on society. This aligns with the Kingdom’s recognition of Social Responsibility Day, established by the Council of Ministers on Nov. 22, 2022, to be celebrated annually on March 23.

The graduation ceremony of the first cohort coincided with Saudi Arabia’s first Social Responsibility Day, demonstrating the potential of nonprofit and private sectors to benefit society.

Dr. May Taibah, Director of Bab Rizq Jameel

During the three-month training course, participants received theoretical and practical training on the various aspects of coffee preparation at the Arabian Coffee Institute, from roasting and brewing to serving and customer relations.

The training also focused on entrepreneurial principles relating to the coffee industry, with workshops on customer service, covering topics such as customer satisfaction, sales skills, and the use of technology in cafes. The program initially trained 40 participants in coffee preparation, with graduates receiving certification from the Arabian Coffee Institute and employment opportunities made available through collaborations with partners seeking qualified Saudi talents.
Taibah said: “The graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the program coincided with Saudi Arabia’s first Social Responsibility Day, demonstrating the great potential of nonprofit and private sectors to benefit society and boost economic growth. The first edition of the program was highly successful, attracting a select group of passionate young Saudis, training and placing them in coffee-focused companies. In the second cycle, we are expanding the program’s reach to a broader range of beneficiaries and stakeholders. To achieve this, we will support participants in advancing their careers in the coffee sector, preparing them for positions such as barista president, general supervisor and café business manager.”
Ghaffar said: “Community Jameel Saudi has been committed to creating suitable employment opportunities for young Saudi men and women since its establishment. This effort has been instrumental in improving the lives of community members and strengthening the national economy across various sectors. We take pride in witnessing the success of these ambitious young individuals as they contribute to the growth and development of the Saudi coffee industry, enhancing its local content.”

 


International Medical Center to provide healthcare services to KAUST employees

(Twitter @imchospitalsa)
(Twitter @imchospitalsa)
Updated 29 March 2023

International Medical Center to provide healthcare services to KAUST employees

(Twitter @imchospitalsa)

The International Medical Center signed a partnership agreement with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology to provide healthcare services for the university’s employees, in accordance with the highest medical standards set by the IMC.
The partnership agreement between the two parties stipulates that the IMC will provide integrated medical services to KAUST, supported by emergency, laboratory, radiology and pharmacy departments on campus, serving its employees and residents as well as providing them with all therapeutic, surgical and preventive services through the IMC headquarters.
Dr. Walid Fitaihi, chairman and CEO of the IMC, said that the choice of KAUST, which includes the largest university cities on a global scale, to partner with the IMC for providing its employees and residents with medical services, comes in line with Saudi Vision 2030. “This vision emphasized that the government sector benefits from the services of the private healthcare sector in light of the privatization of healthcare services, which is why KAUST made the choice to benefit from the world-class standards of healthcare provided by the IMC,” he said.

BACKGROUND

The IMC successfully launched the unified electronic medical record system project TrakCare from InterSystems, which was adopted across all IMC facilities.

Dr. Fitaihi added that under this partnership, the IMC will be providing advanced healthcare services in the most precise medical specialties, to KAUST employees through a unified system linking medical clinics in KAUST with the headquarters of the IMC.
The CEO also pointed out that the partnership agreement between the two parties is according to an approach that is the latest in the healthcare sector, which ensures the provision of services through a unified medical file and the unification of the record of medical services provided, regardless of where they are received, whether on campus or at the IMC.
He said that this approach to unify the record of medical services provided, comes after the recent updates conducted by the IMC, through which it successfully completed the largest digital transformation process in the healthcare services.
Recently, the IMC successfully launched the unified electronic medical record system project TrakCare from InterSystems, a leading global company in the field of medical information technology and Innovative data that helps users overcome the intricacies and challenges related to information. The system was adopted across all IMC facilities through a unified information record.

 


Sobhy Kaber in Riyadh unveils Ramadan menu

Sobhy Kaber in Riyadh unveils Ramadan menu
Updated 28 March 2023

Sobhy Kaber in Riyadh unveils Ramadan menu

Sobhy Kaber in Riyadh unveils Ramadan menu

Egyptian restaurant Sobhy Kaber in Riyadh has announced a special menu for Ramadan. The menu blends traditional Egyptian cuisine with local Saudi flavors.

“Our menus in Sobhy Kaber are always evolving as we try to improve on each and every dish, each and every day. With that goal in mind, our executive chef has created a special menu for the holy month of Ramadan,” the restaurant said.

“Our restaurant team in Riyadh has taken great care and consideration when it comes to celebrating Ramadan with you. A carefully balanced Ramadan menu with Egyptian and oriental food is guaranteed to please every palate.”

Some of their Ramadan-special delicacies include grilled lamb chops, molokhia, meat tajin and grits meat tajin.

“The kitchen brigade, who also will be celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, will use their experience to make their Egyptian cuisine extra special for you and your family, friends and loved ones.”

The restaurant’s interiors are heavily influenced by its original home in Cairo. The décor has been carefully created to keep that authenticity whilst adding modern influence to bring it to life for the guests. With Riyadh being its new home, the local staff and Saudi influence is clearly evident for those who experience their hospitality.