Austin Reed signs franchisee for Middle East stores

Austin Reed: at least 10 Middle East stores in five years

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Austin Reed will open at least 10 stores in the Middle East in the next five years, after signing a franchise agreement with Kuwait-based Speciality Fashion Group.

Speciality Fashion Group, a division of Sultan Center, will open Austin Reed stores in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Chief executive Nick Hollingworth said: "This new signing will expose us to key markets and opportunities in the Middle East and we look forward to a long and successful relationship."

Austin Reed has stores in the US, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Columbia and India.