SimplyAbuDhabi VII

1 0 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Simply AbuDhabi caught upwithAbdul Hamied for a question-and-answer session: How would you describe Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons in five words? Leading Swiss luxury watch retailer. How important is this joint venture with HAMG for Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons? This joint venture was a perfect combination of two strong companies, who will complement each other in enhancing Al Manara International Jewellery’s presence in Abu Dhabi. Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons have expertise in luxury retailing, and HAMG have expertise in joint ventures and investments. Why did you look at acquiring another luxury operator such as Al Manara instead of rolling out the Seddiqi boutiques? Al Manara is a reputable, Abu Dhabi-based jeweller, with a similar portfolio of brands to that of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. As an Emirati company, we saw the opportunity in developing an established business by bringing in the vast expertise of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons. In doing so, we have created a far more challenging task than simply rolling out more Seddiqi boutiques. But our main objective is to create a unique retail concept that will bring in a new luxury shopping experience across Abu Dhabi. The chosen name for the new joint venture is Al Manara International Jewellery. Why was it important to keep the Al Manara name, rather than just converting them into Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons boutiques? Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and HAMG have great respect for Mr Al Samman and all his efforts in building and maintaining this brand; and as supporters of Al Manara, it is our responsibility to keep this local brand’s name going and enhance it with the expertise we both have. Is it true that the Al Manara employees were kept on after the finalisation of the joint venture? Both parties place enormous value on their employees. The decision was taken by the management to retain all the current employees – and enhance their skills through a series of dedicated workshops. Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons is famed for its personalised customer care andworld-class service; canwe expect the same from the Al Manara International Jewellery boutiques? The new Al Manara International Jewellery management, under the supervision of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and HAMG, will bring the best quality service and products into this new joint venture. We have already started the process by appointing a new General Manager with vast experience in luxury retail management, and by hiring a reputable Trainer, who also has expertise in luxury retail. What is the brand ethos behind Al Manara? We want to be the uncontested leading luxury watch retailer in Abu Dhabi, and to develop new market standards and practices. Customer experience will be the cornerstone of Al Manara International Jewellery, along with service, product exclusivity and availability. What are your strategic growth plans for Al Manara? The strategic growth plan is starting as we speak, with the opening of three new stores in Abu Dhabi Marina Mall. On July 15th we opened the first high-end multi- brand store, which will feature the new Al Manara International Jewellery retail format and its new corporate identity. On the same date, the new Hublot and Chopard boutiques were unveiled, bringing to Abu Dhabi the brand’s latest retail concept, architecture and design. We are also currently looking at expanding the new concept of Al Manara International Jewellery into new luxury shopping malls or five-star luxury hotels, by securing prime locations across Abu Dhabi. Swiss envoy Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart and Mr Abdul Hamied