Robinsons Department Store, a major retail venture being operated by UAE-based Al Futtaim Retail Group, has announced plans to open its second branch in the Gulf region at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following its successful opening in Dubai last year.

An iconic store in Singapore, Robinsons has secured its prominence for its distinguished line of products and unrivaled experience. The luxury brand is this year celebrating its 160th anniversary with the grand opening at the Kingdom Centre, Riyadh.

The new branch will provide shoppers with a unique shopping experience as it joins a selection of luxury brand outlets in one of Riyadh’s largest malls, said a statement from the company.

Robinsons’ journey began back on February 25, 1858, with John Spicer and Philip Robinson founding Spicer & Robinson in Singapore. Ever since then, Robinsons has spearheaded the forefront of retail sector in Asia.

In 2008, Al Futtaim Group acquired the rights to operate Robinsons department store in Singapore and was able to successfully transform it to one of the best performing department stores in Southeast Asia.

The brand is committed to providing customers with an unparalleled choice of the world’s finest brands accompanied with exceptional customer service and high after-sales support services, said the statement.

Prince Al Waleed bin Talal, Chairman of the Board of Kingdom Holding Company, visited the new store during his tour at the Kingdom Centre. He also met Nasser Hassan Nassif, CEO of Al Futtaim Group and praised the young men and women of the Saudi work team, as well as the professional interior design and aesthetic touches in the store.

Robinsons made its debut in the Middle East region in late March 2017 with a 20,000 sq m store spanning across three floors at Dubai Festival City.

The store’s unique design was inspired by Singapore’s outstanding nature fused with contemporary architecture that combines vertical gardens. Renowned French botanist Patrick Blanc was the brain behind the design, creating a distinctive new identity for Robinsons in the Middle East.

Accordingly, this allowed the department store to qualify for the World Retail Awards, for the 2018's Outstanding Store Design, the statement added.
 
Headquartered in Dubai, Al Futtaim Group is one of the world's largest and fastest growing regional business conglomerates. It has more than 42,000 employees and manages its business sectors through more than 200 diverse companies worldwide.

In recent years, the group has expanded its business operations in Saudi Arabia through strategic acquisition plans in a number of activities such as contracting, heavy equipment and retail, to expand its presence in the Kingdom's promising market and keep pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.-TradeArabia News Service