Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall and leisure pioneer across the region, has signed an agreement with US-based Crate and Barrel to operate their stores and showrooms in Qatar from the beginning of this month.

The agreement covers a five-year term with an exclusive license for stores in Qatar and plans to expand into other areas of the GCC.

This marks Majid Al Futtaim Fashion’s first entry into the home fashion and furniture market, and the announcement comes as the leadership of both businesses convene at the World Retail Congress taking place between April 4 to 6 in Dubai.

Founded in Chicago in 1962, Crate and Barrel is a leading American homeware and furniture brand with more than 50 years of celebrated history in the market. Spanning over 100 stores globally, the Crate and Barrel brand creates store experiences intended to inspire customers who seek well-designed, high-quality home furnishings that bring creativity and beauty into their homes.

Majid Al Futtaim Fashion said that it will debut the brand with a 1,500 sq m Qatar store located in Doha Festival City. The location will showcase Crate and Barrel's signature collection of housewares, seasonal accessories and complete line of indoor and outdoor furniture, as well as the unparalleled Crate and Barrel gift registry experience.

In its product portfolio, Crate and Barrel includes housewares for the kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms as well as for entertainment, decoration, lighting, organization and exterior furniture. The first store is set to open in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2017.

Rajiv Suri, chief executive officer at Majid Al Futtaim Fashion said: “This is an important step for Majid Al Futtaim Fashion as we expand into a new line, home fashion and furnishings. Crate and Barrel is an incredible brand with a strong presence in the UAE, so we are excited to continue to extend the company’s presence further across the GCC.”

“We are excited about this new relationship and what it means for the Crate and Barrel brand,” said Neela Montgomery, executive chair, Crate &Barrel. “The aggressive growth orientation of Majid Al Futtaim aligns squarely with our business strategy in the region.”

Today, Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany, the second largest online retailer worldwide, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service