The UAE-born value clothing chain Max Fashions is in the midst of a major expansion across the Middle East, Africa and India, aiming to open at least 40 stores this year.
The brand, which opened its first branch in Abu Dhabi in 2004, now operates 225 stores in 15 countries.
It opened about 40 stores last year and achieved growth of about 20 per cent - figures it intends to match this year with openings in India, the GCC, Africa and Turkey.
"I think it must be the only one in the region which is a billion dollar home-grown brand," said Max's chief executive, Ramanathan Hariharan.
"We don't have official figures but this must be one of the top brands which has grown from the region which is home-grown and has expanded to other parts of the Middle East and Africa," he added.
About half the outlets opened last year were in India and a number were across the GCC, but it also expanded into countries swept up by the Arab Spring.
"We opened in Libya immediately after the crisis," said Mr Hariharan.
The expansion, through a franchise partnership, was planned before the revolution, he said, and the outlet was almost ready to open before the crisis.
"Immediately after the revolution, the franchise remobilised and opened the store in a very short time. Libya, is a growing economy and considerable investments are taking place for rebuilding the economy. We are expanding into all countries in North Africa and thus, Libya is an absolute choice."
The brand also added about five stores in Egypt, according to Mr Hariharan.
It has started to turn its attention to sub-Saharan Africa, with two outlets in Nigeria and aims to focus more on the region, opening between five and 10 stores there this year.
"When brands like us go into Africa we are trying to change the market because today retail is not as much organised there so it gives us an opportunity to be the first mover and start developing those markets and secondly in terms of the overall GDP growth and the upwards mobility of the people," said Mr Hariharan.
He expects Max's momentum in Africa to start building in the next two to three years.
"The rate of growth that these African countries will give us could be far, far higher in the next three to five years."
gduncan@thenational.ae
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Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
Results
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Squid Game season two
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Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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Torque: 250Nm
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Company%20Profile
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Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
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The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
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