JEDDAH: Express, one of the “most widely recognized brands” in the United States, which opened its first Saudi store at Mall of Arabia here on Wednesday night, has drawn up an ambitious plan in cooperation with Alshaya International Trading Co.
“One of the buzzwords in America, Express is a statement of fashion within the brand,” Kurt Beckley, business manager, Express (Middle East), told Arab News in an interview on the sidelines of the inauguration. “The celebrity brand in the United States is one of the most innovative, fashion forward retailers in the industry, providing the newest and most sophisticated style resource for men and women,” he added.
“Jeddah presents an opportunity for us to not only have a wonderful and dynamic store, but to bring Express’ unique fashion point of view to what is truly Saudi Arabia’s most fashionable, cosmopolitan environment, and beyond the store we are also proud to become a part of the outstanding Saudi fashion community,” he added. “In fact, our collections are tailor-made to suit the local requirement and environment.”
Express, whose fashion stores opened earlier in Kuwait and Dubai, plans to open 60 new outlets across the Kingdom and the region in the next five years. A second Saudi store is due to open at Granada in Riyadh by the yearend.
Opening day offered customers an “Evening of Style” with a spring and summer dressing trend presentation from Express style experts featuring the fun, and a collection followed by complimentary one-on-one style consultations.
The evening provided a fun shopping experience where guests purchased tailored wear to work pieces, the latest in denim as well as getting ready for the summer holidays with items from the collection. It includes the season’s hottest trends including jumpsuits for women and polo’s for every occasion for men.
This “sensational” new 1,000 square meter Express store reflects the company’s newest store design. The store has been designed to give women and men access to a stimulating shopping environment where both can shop for the latest trends and everyday fashion essentials, said Beckley who is involved with Alshaya’s operations for six and a half years.
Speaking at the inauguration earlier, Beckley said: “We are very pleased to bring an exciting brand such as Express to Saudi Arabia’s buoyant market, where consumers are both fashion conscious and highly discerning. The Kingdom offers the newest and most sophisticated style resource for men and women.”
