Liz Claiborne eyes Middle East for growth opportunity

06 Feb '06

2 min read

Apparel group Liz Claiborne Inc has announced an agreement with MAF Fashion LLC, a division of the Majid Al Futtaim Group in Dubai, for exclusive distribution rights to certain of the Liz Claiborne brands in the Middle East region, as well as certain countries in North Africa, the Levant region and Pakistan.

The partnership will be managed through Liz Claiborne Inc.'s Mexx Europe Holding BV division and was effective January 1, 2006.

Certain of the Liz Claiborne brands, including Liz Claiborne, Mexx, Lucky Brand and Monet are currently distributed in the area through a number of local partners.

MAF Fashion will assume responsibility for these brands in approximately 60 free-standing stores and a number of department store concessions throughout the Middle East, as well as begin expanding the portfolio's overall presence in the region.

Alphons Schouten, Senior Vice President of Sales, Mexx Europe Holding BV, said, "This partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Group and MAF Fashion provides significant growth potential and competitive advantage while building a strong strategic position in a region of the world we consider under-penetrated. MAF Fashion's expertise and local knowledge combined with the strength and diversity of our broad portfolio of brands gives us a strong springboard from which to increase our presence in this market."

"Liz Claiborne Inc.'s brands are among the world's most well-known, and are well-loved by consumers. Their extensive expertise and ability to transform fashion concepts into designer clothing complements our core marketing strengths and local knowledge," said Ko Voigt, Senior Vice President and CFO of the Majid Al Futtaim Group.

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