FFW advises Hamleys on Middle East launch
13 July 2006
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP (FFW) has advised iconic toy
retailer, Hamleys, on a franchising deal that will see the company
open up stores and airport outlets in Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi
Arabia. This is Hamleys’ first franchise and will be run by
Daud Investments LLC.
Hamleys, founded in 1760, is one of the oldest names in UK
retailing and is best known for its Regent Street store.
Around 30 percent of its customers in London are from
overseas and the brand is well known outside the UK. The
launch will see Hamleys join a host of retailers that have
successfully gone into the Middle East, including Mothercare, Gap,
Debenhams and Harvey Nichols. Following on from this, Hamleys
is also in looking to expand into both China and India.
The contract with Daud Investments will see the first store open
up in Dubai in Autumn 2007. Daud Investments is part of the
Middle East based Getco Group of companies. The Getco Group
currently holds franchises in the Middle East for companies such as
McDonalds and Yo-Sushi.
FFW was instrumental in introducing the opportunity to Hamleys,
as a result of its detailed knowledge of the franchising market in
the Middle East. The firm devised the structure for the
entire deal as well as drafting all of the documentation for both
the stores and airport outlets in all three jurisdictions.
The deal follows on from FFW’s recent Chinese franchising deal
for fashion retailer Reiss and reflects the strength of FFW’s
franchising group and its international capability. In
addition to advising a large portfolio of corporates
including the likes of Monsoon, Mango, M&S and Adams on their
global roll outs, the group has recently advised a large number
of companies on their investments into the Middle East,
including H&M Hennes Mauritz, Yo! Sushi and Clapham House.
Head of franchising and licensing, Mark Abell advised Hamleys,
assisted by William Parsloe.
Mark Abell said, "It is very exciting to be advising such an iconic
brand on its international expansion programme, particularly when
the management has such a dynamic approach. The Middle East
is one of the current hot spots for UK retailers and over the last
few months we have closed four similar deals in the region
and currently have two others on the go. It seems that the legal
and commercial challenges that are involved in doing business in
the Middle East are leading companies to take advice from those
with an established track record of doing such deals in the
region."
Daud Investments was advised in-house.
For further press information please contact:
Ben Girdlestone, Communications Manager, Field Fisher
Waterhouse LLP on 020 7861 4968
Louise Eckersley, PR Executive, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP on
020 7861 4120