Marka plans to open Cheeky Monkeys in Saudi
DUBAI, March 28, 2016
Marka, the first public joint stock retail operator in the UAE, is planning to open nine new Cheeky Monkeys Playland and Sweet Surprises frachised outlets in Saudi Arabia via an agreement with a reputable franchise company in the kingdom.
Over the next five years, and when the franchise agreement is finalised between Marka and it’s partner in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom will see Cheeky Monkeys franchises opening in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh.
The expansion will represent the first international expansion and first franchise agreement for Cheeky Monkeys, which is a leading ‘edutainment’ destination for children under six years of age.
Nick Peel, chief executive officer of Marka, said: “This franchise expansion underlines our commitment to strengthening the presence of our brands not only in the UAE, but also across the GCC region.
"The high demand for children’s edutainment has enabled us to expand the scope of Cheeky Monkeys and we are excited about the prospect partnering with a leading franchising company in Saudi Arabia to further expand our retail network.”
“We are confident that Saudi Arabia has just the right demographic to embrace the ethos of Cheeky Monkeys, with a growing young population requiring educational and learning facilities in an enjoyable, fun and interactive environment,” said Peel.
“This franchise expansion is yet another step in the right direction for us in what is already shaping up to be a busy and exciting year as we continue to build a well-balanced portfolio of global and home-grown fashion, hospitality and sports brands," he added.
Cheeky Monkeys provides a variety of classes specifically formulated to enhance toddlers’ developmental skills for which it has become famous, the statement added. - TradeArabia News Service
