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Perfume firm to increase its retail presence to 110 outlets by 2007

DUBAI — Ajmal Perfumes, a leading perfume company in the Gulf, plans to expand its retail presence to 110 outlets from the present 99 over the next 12 to 14 months.

The company has been on a retail expansion phase adding 10-15 new outlets each year. Talking to the Khaleej Times, Abdulla A Ajmal, Assistant General Manager of Ajmal Perfumes said: "As our business and our product line grows, we need to roll out more of our flagship outlets in the GCC countries."

So besides the flagship outlets, Ajmal range of perfumes is also available at about 1,400 multi-brand outlets in 14 countries. It expects to be present in 45 countries by 2010-2011.

Ajmal plans to open its outlets in UK, France and Russian markets, as part of its foray into the European countries in the next three years time.

"We aim to be a global brand in the next 5-10 years and would be available in all the major departmental stores. But these will through a strategic alliances and distributors. Ajmal will a brand at par with other leading European brands," says Ajmal.

The company plans to set up outlets in the leading fashion capitals like London, Paris, Milan and Moscow.

"While the European brands focus on marketing the brand, we spend more on product development. So ours is totally a different model from the Europeans products," adds Ajmal.

As per the ICM data, perfume industry is a $5-billion industry, growing at 8-10 per cent in the GCC countries.

The Dubai-based company Ajmal Perfumes has recorded a turnover of $120 million last year and has been growing consistently at 12-15 per cent annually for the last 6-7 years.

The company that originated in India in 1951, moved to the Gulf during the 70's and since made Dubai its headquarters. Its other businesses include real estate, leather goods, garments and agro tech but still 70-75 per cent of the company's business still comes from perfumes.

The perfume major employs close to 1,200, of which, 450 are based in the UAE.

Ajmal has high-tech research and development facilities both in Mumbai and Dubai and has spend about $6 million in rolling out new products. It has rolled out about 60-70 brands so far. Recently it launched two brands for men and women 'Shadow' and 'Teyf' that have been accepted well in the markets.

By employing latest technology, Ajmal has produced an expansive product range to cater to the varying demands of its international clientele. Through decades of continuous research and experience in the art and technique of extracting pure oils from natural substances, Ajmal have developed a wide range of attars and fragrances.