Al-Futtaim to bring French brand ba&sh to the Middle East

Dubai conglomerate Al-Futtaim Group has signed an agreement with French fashion house ba&sh to introduce the brand to the region.

Under the plans, ten ba&sh stores are planned in the Middle East by 2019, with the first boutique to open in Dubai’s City Walk by the fourth quarter of 2016.

“It is with great pride that we are opening our first store in the United Arab Emirates. This will be the first boutique in the Middle East and will be the brand’s regional showcase. We are very keen to display our style here,” said ba&sh co-founder Barbara Boccara.

The expansion plans include six other boutiques and three concessions in department stores during the next three years.

Al-Futtaim said the brand was expected to expand into “several territories” in the region without giving more details.

“This partnership will add exciting new markets to ba&sh’s global network and at the same time provide Al-Futtaim’s customers in the region with a much wider shopping choice. We are confident that this iconic brand will be very popular among the large fashion-conscious clientele in the region and will add to our many success stories,” said Al-Futtaim Retail president Paul Delaoutre.

Private equity fund L Capital acquired a 50 per cent stake in the French brand last year, under plans to accelerate its international expansion.

To date ba&sh has 100 shops and concessions and plans to open 130 by the end of the year.