DUBAI: Saudi mall operator Arabian Centres has started to roll out Alshaya brands that include Starbucks and Jo Malone.
The malls group plans to add the new brands in three phases with the first of these expected to be compete by September, it said in a Saudi stock exchange filing on Tuesday.
The remaining two phases will add names such as Bath & Body Works, H&M and Victoria’s Secret, it said.
Alshaya Group is one of the biggest players in the region’s retail market, owning franchises for more than 90 international brands and managing more than 4,500 stores, cafes, restaurants and entertainment destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa
“Alshaya can expect to significantly expand its commercial presence in the Saudi market through this partnership,” said Arabian Centres CEO Faisal bin Abdullah Al-Jedaie.
The easing of COVID-19 restrictions has allowed malls to re-open in the region after a year that saw many big retail names disappear worldwide.
Arabian Centres adds Alshaya brands from Starbucks to Jo Malone
https://arab.news/m9bxq
Arabian Centres adds Alshaya brands from Starbucks to Jo Malone
- The malls group plans to add the new brands in three phases with the first of these expected to be compete by September
Eric Trump says Saudi Arabia’s stock market reforms will attract billions of dollars
RIYADH: Eric Trump has praised Saudi Arabia’s decision to open up its stock market to foreign investors, stating that billions of additional dollars are set to flow into the Kingdom.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, the businessman, who is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, also lauded the recent development projects taking shape in Riyadh, especially in Diriyah.
The Kingdom has announced its financial markets will be open to all foreign investors from Feb. 1, with the removal of restrictions such as the Qualified Foreign Investor framework, which required a minimum of $500 million in assets under management, and the abolition of swap agreements.
Reflecting on the decision, Trump said: “Some of the new legislation allowing foreign inward investment in Saudi Arabia, I think that’s going to open up possibilities for billions of dollars to flow into the market.
“Obviously opening up the actual stock markets themselves to new foreign investment, I think that’s going to lead to more billions of dollars coming into the market. I think this is going to help with trade and tourism and so many other things.”
According to Trump, the investment environment in Saudi Arabia is getting better as time progresses, with big brands from across the world entering the Kingdom’s market to tap its potential.
Under the Vision 2030 economic diversification program, Saudi Arabia aims to attract $100 billion annually in foreign direct investments.
“Every day, the investment environment gets better and better. You’ve got the biggest brands in the world that are coming in. All of those brands are making a tremendous amount of noise,” added Trump.
A report released by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics in December revealed that foreign direct investment net inflows reached SR24.9 billion ($6.64 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 34.5 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
Trump made the comments as it was announced Saudi real estate developer Dar Global will launch two Trump-branded luxury projects in Riyadh and Jeddah with a combined value of $10 billion.
The projects include the Trump National Golf Course and Trump International Hotel in Riyadh’s Diriyah.
Commenting on the appeal of Saudi Arabia, Trump said: “The vision of the city, the vision of what’s happening in Riyadh, especially Diriyah, it’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”
He later added: “The vision of what the new Riyadh is going to be, and the vision for all of Saudi Arabia as it continues to open up — you see all these great financial reforms, which should make more inward investment in Saudi Arabia inevitable. It’s incredibly exciting.”
Trump went on to say that “the best days for Saudi Arabia are ahead,” adding: “Even in the six or seven years that I’ve been coming to the country, it’s amazing what’s been built, what’s been done. And I think the country should be incredibly proud of itself.”
