Majid Al Futtaim has announced that it has secured an exclusive retail agreement with American Girl, a division of Mattel, and a premium brand for dolls.
The deal also encompasses Majid Al Futtaim being awarded exclusive distribution rights in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, spanning bricks and mortar retail, airport-based retail and e-commerce.
The first American Girl store in the UAE is slated to open in 2017 and will feature retail experiences, like the popular Doll Hair Salon and an on-site restaurant, as well as all of the latest product offerings, it said in a statement.
The announcement sees Majid Al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment, the leisure arm of Majid Al Futtaim, continue to expand its portfolio.
It said the US brand will further bolster MAF’s collection of internationally-renowned brands including LEGO, lululemon athletica, AllSaints and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Damien Latham, CEO of Majid al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment, said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be bringing American Girl’s first retail offering to shoppers in the region. “This makes us extremely excited to think about what the future holds for the partnership as we begin to solidify the brand’s presence across the GCC.”
Having sold nearly 30 million American Girl dolls since it was founded in 1986, the brand has attracted a dedicated international audience through offering an inspiring world of dolls, content, and experiences aimed at young girls.