Galeries Lafayette rises Middle East ambitions

Eager to expand in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, the Galeries Lafayette Group (G.L.) is in preliminary talks with potential partners. Several names have been mentioned including Alshaya, Azadea and Chalhoub Group in context of a wider expansion via a franchising agreement. According to the C.E.O. Nicolas Houzé, the group targets “up to 10 stores in the region by 2025”. The Abche family have been the historical partner, managing 4 department stores in the region. There are 2 BHV stores