Field Fisher Waterhouse advises on House of Fraser Dubai opening
06 April 2010
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has advised Retail
Arabia International, a Dubai investor in retail, on a franchising
deal that will lead to the opening of House of Fraser’s first store
in the Middle East, opening in Dubai in 2012.
Retail Arabia International is a new retail
venture of Daud Investment’s subsidiary Daud Arabian and Gulf
General Investment. This will be the first international store for
the British retailer with further expansion expected in the Middle
East in cities such as Cairo, Riyadh, Jeddha, Dharan, Abu Dhabi,
Muscat and Doha.
Field Fisher Waterhouse has a detailed
knowledge of the franchising market and developers in the Middle
East. The firm has advised a number of companies on Middle Eastern
franchising deals, including fashion retailers H&M and Reiss
and toy retailer Hamleys. The group has also advised a large
portfolio of corporates on global roll-outs including Mamas &
Papas, River Island, Mango and M&S.
Joint head of Franchising and Licensing Mark Abell led on the deal, assisted by Gordon Drakes.
Mark Abell said: “This is an exciting
development for an iconic UK retailer and it is expected that
the House of Fraser will do well in the Middle East. We are
pleased to have been able to advise Retail Arabia International on
this deal . Despite the current economic malaise in the region we
have advised a number of retailers on Middle East
roll-outs over the last six months.”
House of Fraser was advised by in-house
counsel.
For further press information please
contact:
Louise Eckersley, PR Manager,
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on +44 (0)20 7861 4120.