$100 Million International Retail Deal for Joe Bloggs Brand

19 Apr 2006

The Juice Corporation, the Manchester fashion house, today signed a US$ 100M deal with Dubai-based Retailcorp to launch Joe Bloggs internationally with retail outlets throughout the Middle East.

The first flagship Joe Bloggs retail store will be unveiled at Ibn Battuta Mall (Dubai) and 5 stores will open at the end of August in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. The deal will see the opening of a minimum of 50 stores across the UAE and Gulf including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Lebanon.

Retailcorp represents the retailing arm of the group of companies owned by the Ruling Family of the Emirate of Dubai, these include Nakheel, Istithmar, Dubai Ports Authority, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai Customs and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.

Kashif Ahmed, Managing Director Juice Corporation said:

"We are delighted to be working with Retailcorp in bringing the Joe Bloggs brand to the Middle East and the Gulf. With 35% of the GCC (Gulf Co-operative Council) population below the age of 14, there is a substantial fashion-conscious youth market that we know the brand appeals to. The Joe Bloggs brand has been successfully sold in the Middle East for the last five years and it is a natural progression to move into retail. Our partnership with Retailcorp represents a significant step in advancing our ambitious international expansion plans for Joe Bloggs and other Juice Corporation brands".

"We are delighted to work with Marvin Shaire and his team, who have been highly professional and have led us to select Retailcorp as a partner over many other leading regional players interested in the brand."

Marvin B. Shaire, Chief Operating Officer, of Retailcorp said:

"The boys and youth market in the GCC is substantial, but thus far, has been poorly catered for. We are very excited to be working with Joe Bloggs in delivering a concept the male youth can adopt and call "Their Own". I am convinced the "dynamic" Joe Bloggs ranges are going to transform this segment of the market. This promises to be just the start of a long and significant partnership with Juice Corporation and its brand portfolio".

Initial plans involve the retail outlets stocking Joe Bloggs Boyswear (age 7-16), with potential for introduction of the new Menswear collections launching in the UK for spring/summer 06, with possible Girls, Teens and Womenswear to follow.