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Weekly UpdatesBaskin-Robbins, together with Galadari Ice Cream Company, its exclusive licensee in the Gulf region, expects to open 25 new parlors by the end of this year and another 25 by the end of next June, according to company executives. The announcement followed the recent opening of the company's 450th store in the region at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Dunkin' Brands Chief Executive Officer Nigel Travis said that for the past two years, the Middle East has been the fastest-growing market in the world for Baskin-Robbins.
Baskin-Robbins, together with Galadari Ice Cream Company, its exclusive licensee in the Gulf region, expects to open 25 new parlors by the end of this year and another 25 by the end of next June, according to company executives. The announcement followed the recent opening of the company's 450th store in the region at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
Dunkin' Brands Chief Executive Officer Nigel Travis said that for the past two years the Middle East has been the fastest-growing market in the world for Baskin-Robbins and the company believes the Middle East will continue to do well despite some slowdown in Dubai. So far this year, Baskin-Robbins has seen its sales in the Middle East defy the global recession, growing by more than 20 per cent compared to the same period of 2008.
Manoj Loya, General Manager of Galadari Ice Cream, said in a statement, "We are on an aggressive stance to pursue our expansion plans in spite of the general economic slowdown. We are confident of a sooner-than-expected turnaround in the region." Galadari Ice Cream's plans include diversifying into new store formats such as Cafe Baskin Robbins and BR Express, Loya added.
Loya also said Baskin-Robbins and Galadari are exploring new markets in the Middle East such as Jordan, although plans there are said to be in an early stage. Overall, the companies hope by next year to be in at least one or two new markets in the region. They are also looking further afield to South Africa where there are reported to be strong local players, but no international brands competing.
Baskin-Robbins claims to have a 90 per cent share of the region's ice cream parlor business, operating 108 stores just in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, it opened its largest store in the world in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in March. The parlor reportedly covers a total area of 5,000 square feet.
"Our commitment to the public is to serve premium-quality Baskin-Robbins ice cream no matter where they are in the GCC. We are proud to reach a landmark 450 stores and there are more coming up," said Khaled Soliman, chief operating officer of the Galadari Group, which owns Galadari Ice Cream.
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