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Mango’s first store in Iraq covers 400sq m and is located at Erbil’s Majidi Mall shopping centre | |
SPAIN. Mango has opened its first store in Iraq as part of the Spanish fashion company’s international expansion.
The 400sq m boutique is located in the Kurdish province of Erbil, in the north of the country, at the Majidi Mall.
The new opening demonstrates the company’s commitment to the Middle East. The firm is now present in every country in the region, which it entered in 1997 with the opening of a store in Kuwait.
In recent years, Mango has significantly increased its presence in the Arab market. The firm has 37 stores in Saudi Arabia, 15 in the UAE and seven in Kuwait. It is also planning to open new boutiques in these countries and to establish its first store in Yemen.
Mango Head of Expansion Isak Halfon said: “Mango’s arrival in Iraq represents a challenge for the company, since this is a virgin market. However, we are confident that this opening will be a success like the other countries in this region. Mango has been well received in the Middle East, and turnover for the Arab market accounts for 9% of total company turnover.”
Mango Fashion Awards
In other news, Mango has announced the third edition of the “el Botón”-Mango Fashion Awards, which aim to promote talented young fashion designers internationally. Participants have the opportunity to present their collections before a prestigious jury and compete for €300,000 in prize money, which is said to be the largest sum ever offered in a competition of this type.
Budding designers have until the middle of March 2010 to present their applications. In late April, at the fashion show for the 2010 Autumn/Winter season, the jury, made up of representatives of Mango and five prestigious international design schools, will select the 10 finalists.
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The Arab market accounts for 9% of total company turnover | |
In previous editions, the jury has included the acclaimed designers Valentino and Oscar de la Renta. Respectively, they awarded the top prize to Belgian duo Sandrina Fasoli and Michaël Marson and, last year, to South Korean designer Lee Jean Youn.
This season, Mango is launching the new event with the key message “Success is for the brave”. For details, visit www.mangofashionawards.com
About Mango
Mango’s strategy is to be present in every country in the world with a product aimed at the modern urban woman that combines quality and design at an affordable price.
The Spanish fashion house has 1,360 stores in 95 countries. During 2009, the chain plans to increase its store count by 150. Its new boutique locations include Belgrade, Dubai, Johannesburg, Manila, Moscow, New Delhi, New York, Paris, Beijing and Tokyo.
Forecast investment for 2009 is €100 million, which will be allocated to new store openings, refurbishments, logistics and IT systems. Forecast turnover for the Mango chain in 2009 is €1.512 billion, while a turnover of €1.155 billion is expected for the consolidated group, an increase of +5% on 2008.
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Mango well positioned for Hong Kong Airport debut – 19/02/07
