Passionate about retail.

Passionate about retail.
Marka. Passionate about retail.
1. Who we are
2. What we offer
3. Our People
4. Our Strategy
5. Our Core Segments
6. Meet the Brands we love
Vision
To establish ourselves as the premier retail operator in the UAE and across the GCC, offering
value to our customers through high quality products and services at optimum cost, while
generating value for our shareholders and giving back to the communities in which we operate.
Mission
TO DELIVER excellence through creative and customized products and services of the highest quality.
TO INNOVATE consistently and add value to our products and services.
TO COMBINE our deep market knowledge and retail expertise to achieve ultimate customer
satisfaction.
TO FOLLOW an ethical code of corporate conduct with our employees, business partners, customers
and the communities in which we operate.
TO BE RECOGNISED a modern Emirati organization with progressive and dynamic leadership that is
supported by highly professional, committed and loyal employees.
TO ACHIEVE a better lifestyle for our customers, superior returns for our shareholders and offer
advanced opportunities to our employees and stakeholders.
Who we are
2014 - Marka is a newly launched retail operating company
committed to partnering with exciting, world renowned
brands and investing in local brands in need of scale, retail
knowledge and expertise.
HQ - Headquartered in Dubai, we target the mid-to-highrange products sectors across sport, fashion and hospitality.
Growth - We pursue a growth strategy focused on franchise
agreements, unique retail concept development and strategic
acquisitions.
We bring a
strong
entrepreneurial
approach.
We’re big on
partnership
and
transparency.
Founders – Marka was founded by an elite group of UAE
nationals including leading businessmen and investors,
along with a select group of expatriate investors.
IPO - Marka was the first company to IPO on the Dubai
Financial Market (DFM) since 2009 – sending a clear
message of confidence in our strategy and the region’s
retail sector.
DFM – Marka shares commenced trading on 25
September, 2014, under the symbol “MARKA”.
What we offer
We combine a deep understanding of local consumer trends with
business development capabilities and financial leverage to
provide the strongest platform for brands to expand in the
region.
 All the transparency and corporate governance that only a
public listing can offer
 Well funded
 World class management team with decades of retail
expertise
 A retail based six-member Board of Directors, second to
none in the region.
A clear focus on
Sports retail,
Fashion and
Hospitality.
Marka’s Board of Directors – A Competitive Advantage
Jamal Al Hai – Chairman of the Board
In addition to serving as the Chairman of Marka, Mr. Al Hai is the Executive Senior Vice President of Dubai Airports. He has helped with
the rapid growth of Dubai International Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in the world and recognized as the aviation hub of
the Middle East. Mr. Al Hai is currently working on the rapid expansion of Dubai World Central (DWC) airport, expects to host 25-30
airlines by 2015 and after completion is expected to be the largest airport in the world. Mr. Al Hai is the Chairman of ExecuJet Middle
East, an aircraft management provider of private leasing jets, jet services and maintenance; Global Jet, flights and leasing aircrafts;
Alpha Tours, airline ticketing, fleet of buses for tourism, a cruise ship, and hotels; ALPHA-55, a group of companies representing
international companies in the fields of simulator, soil testing and sports fields (indoor and outdoor); and Al Hai Motors, which
represents three different Chinese car manufacturers with a showroom and a facility for parts and services. Mr. Al Hai was a former
member of FNC – Federal National Council UAE Parliament, representing the Emirate of Dubai. Mr. Al Hai is a current member of the
Canadian Business Council and the Dubai Airshow Supreme Committee.
Khaled Almheiri – Vice-Chairman
As the Vice Chairman of Marka, Mr. Almheiri focuses on strategic direction, business development, and investor and regulatory
relations. He is also the founder and CEO of Evolvence Capital, where he holds operational management and board mandates of
various Evolvence Capital initiatives and is the chairman of Evolvence India Fund; Repton Dubai, the first overseas partner school
of the prestigious UK public school; Evolvence India Life Sciences Fund, a private equity fund focusing on pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies in India; and Evolvence Knowledge Investments, formed to promote educational institutions in the
GCC. Mr. Almheiri has successfully established franchised operations in the GCC region for reputed international brands such as
Nina Ricci, Vogue, Zadig and Voltaire, among others. Mr. Almheiri also currently serves on the board of Arady Real Estate, and
Amzaan. Prior to founding Evolvence Capital in 2000, Mr. Almheiri worked in the North America Department of the Abu Dhabi
Investment Authority (ADIA) where he specialized in technology and telecommunication equity investments. Mr. Almheiri holds
a B.S. in Finance from Saint Louis University, Missouri, USA.
Marka’s Board of Directors – A Competitive Advantage
Abubaker Al Khoori – Director
Abubaker Al Khoori is the Chairman of Aldar Properties P.J.S.C. and was previously the Managing Director of Sorouh Real Estate P.J.S.C.
Mr. Al Khoori has more than 13 years of experience in the fields of finance and investment in private equity funds and direct deals in
Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Asia. Prior to joining Sorouh, Mr. Al Khoori worked as the Assistant Director of the Abu Dhabi
Investment Authority (ADIA), where his role was to oversee the Private Equities Portfolio of ADIA. He was also responsible for the daily
operation of the department and its investments globally. He was seconded by ADIA in 1998 to Advent International in the UK and the
United States for six months, where he worked on direct deals with the Advent team. Mr. Al Khoori holds a Bachelor Degree in Finance
from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, USA. He is a certified Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of AIMR. He also
completed the Executive Business Program at the Harvard Business School in 2001.
Hamad Al Shamsi – Director
Hamad Al Shamsi is the CEO of Private Investment Company whose objectives inter alia, encompasses investments and large
scale real estate development projects. Mr. Al Shamsi served in the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority prior to gaining the Private
Department of the Late His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Furthermore, Mr. Al Shamsi is represented in the Board
of Directors of several leading Government and Private Institutions engaged in commercial, financial, aviation and service based
activities. Mr. Al Shamsi is a graduate in Business Administration from UAE University, Al Ain and, also, has an MBA in Business
Administration majoring in Finance and Banking.
Marka’s Board of Directors – A Competitive Advantage
Mohammad AlQahtany – Director
Mohammad AlQahtany is the Managing Director of Abwab Capital, a DIFC regulated Investment Company. Under his leadership he
oversaw a fundamental restructuring of Abwab Capital (formerly Univest Capital) into an investment boutique firm focusing on GCC
investment banking transactions and asset management. Mr. AlQahtany is also the Chairman and Managing Director of First Equilease, a
leading leasing company in Kuwait with a focus on providing equipment leasing solutions for the GCC construction market. Previously,
Mr. AlQahtany was the founder and CEO of Alaman Investment Company, a leading Shariah-compliant investment bank listed on the
Kuwaiti Stock Exchange. Under his leadership, Alaman was considered to be one of the largest Islamic firms in terms of assets under
management in the GCC. Prior to joining Alaman, Mr. AlQahtany was the Deputy General Manager of Industrial and Financial
Investments Company (IFIC), a publicly listed investment company on the Kuwaiti Stock Exchange. During his time at IFIC, Mohammad
was part of the team that launched the first ever private equity fund in Kuwait (Direct Investment Fund) in1998, the first Islamic venture
leasing fund (Commvest Ijara) in 2000 and the first Kuwaiti internationally recognized index fund in Kuwait (IFIC Dow Jones Kuwait Index
Fund) in 2005. Mr. AlQahtany is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He
holds a Masters degree with honors in Accounting from the University of Miami (Florida, USA) and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting
from Kuwait University.
Jamal Abdulla Ali Al Shaafar – Director
Jamal Abdulla Ali Al Shaafar is the CEO of Al Masaood Group. The Al Masaood Group was established more than fifty years ago
and has grown under the guidance of Mr. Al Shaafar from being a small trading house, to one of the largest trading and
commercial organizations in the UAE and the Middle East. Mr. Al Shaafar is a partner at 365 Marine Services Centre Co., which
provides solutions, repair and maintenance of marine equipment and engines; and Emirates Mountain Valley Water, an
American premium domestic bottled water. Emirates Mountain Valley Water is a two time gold medal winner of “The Best
Water in the World” spring water and silver medal winner for sparkling water in the USA. Mr. Al Shaafar holds a B.S. in Business
Management from Southeastern University, Washington D.C., USA.
Our people – A Competitive Advantage
Nick Peel – Chief Executive Officer
Nick is a retail veteran whose 25 year career has spanned multi channel retail, operations, property, commercial,
digital and brand experience, the majority in senior management and board level positions. His experience
includes blue chip companies such as Arsenal Football Club, Land Securities, Scottish Media Group, Rangers
Football Club, John Menzies, WM Morrisons, and Halfords. Prior to joining Marka, Nick was the UK Operations
Director and Country Manager for McArthur Glen, overseeing six designer outlet shopping centers. He has
worked with leading brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Reiss, Jaeger, Kurt Geiger,
Radley and Burberry.
Wassim Ghalayini
Chief Financial Officer
Wassim has 25 years of finance and audit
expertise. He has worked with leading regional
companies including Al Ghurair Group and
Masafi Mineral Water Company. In addition, he
has extensive operational experience supporting
expanding businesses gained as Director of
Finance of American University of Sharjah and
the University of Sharjah; during his tenure
university grew from 700 to more than 10,000
students.
Fatima Hussein
Chief Legal Officer
With more than 13 years of legal experience,
Fatima has extensive experience working in the
UAE, especially on corporate governance,
franchising, joint ventures, shareholding
agreements, with a special focus on the retail
and F&B sector. Prior to joining Marka, she
served as Vice Chairman and General Legal
Counsel at Al Salman Advocates & Legal
Consultants and was a Senior Associate at HLP
law firm for six years.
Mike Thompson
MD, Marka Sports
Ravi Chandran
MD, Marka Hospitality
Ravi is responsible for driving Marka’s
growth strategy in the F&B segment, as well
as operational oversight and full P&L
responsibility for the business segment. His
career spans 26 years in hospitality and
retail across Europe and the Middle East.
For the past 16 years, he has served in
senior management positions for multibranded food and beverage operations.
Having carved a name for himself working
with names like Hyatt Hotels and Emirates
Airlines Group, Ravi is focused on growing
Marka Hospitality’s home-grown concepts
and franchises.
Mike’s experience is backed by 27 years of industry
expertise, with in-depth knowledge of global markets at a
multi-channel level, along with a strong comprehension of
emerging macro trends, having spent extensive time in the
USA, APAC and EU regions. His career has been balanced by
both corporate US and Italian family-owned business
experience and includes previous roles as Senior Vice
President (international business development and
licensing) spanning 30 countries at Freddy SPA, European
Commercial Director at Timberland, and General Manager
at Sergio Tacchini.
Richard Mudie
Director of Business Development
Richard has more than 30 years experience including 10
years in the Middle East with the region’s largest private
retail operating companies including Chalhoub, Alshaya and
Landmark Group, where he was responsible for securing
major franchise agreements with international brands in the
MENA region. He also has a strong operations background
with expertise in P&L management, marketing, HR, finance,
buying and merchandising, and visual merchandising.
Richard’s experience in property appraisal and lease
negotiation will support Marka’s growth and expansion in
the UAE.
Murat Cinaroglu
Finance Director
Hany El Sayed
Director of Human Capital
Hany has worked in multiple sectors and
industries and brings a commercial,
culturally sensitive style to his work. Prior
to Marka, he helped establish FoodQuest.
Hany has also worked extensively in the
region for Mark & Spencer’s and Carrefour.
He has significant experience in the M&A
and start-up sectors.
Murat has 18 years experience in finance. Prior to joining
Marka, he worked for Doğuş Group, one of the leading
business conglomerates in Turkey, with a combined asset
base of a USD 120 billion. While with Doğuş, Murat was
part of the retail entity, responsible for luxury brands such
as Gucci, Armani, Porsche Design as well as multi-brand
and food and beverage stores. He has also managed
business development, finance, accounting, budget,
logistics, reporting and IT functions for Louis Vuitton
Turkey. Prior to joining Louis Vuitton, he worked at
Ottoman Bank as a Financial Controller and at PWC as an
Auditor.
Leigh-Ann Lanier
Director of Marketing, PR & Communications
With a multi-sector career spanning the UK, US and Middle
East, Leigh Ann has management experience in
communications, marketing, brand building, media
relations and M&A gained at both publically traded
companies and start-ups. Prior to Marka, she led B2B and
B2C marketing communications for Dow, a Fortune 100
company and an Olympic Sponsor, with responsibilities for
the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Prior to Dow, she led
business development and marketing for URS in the GCC
where she gained M&A and operational experience.
Our Strategy

Initial focus on UAE retail market, worth $66 billion per year

Targeting mid- to high-end retail markets across fashion, sports
& F&B

Position Marka as a preferred franchisee/partner for leading
fashion and F&B brands seeking a foothold in the GCC

Target fast-growing GCC markets: United Arab Emirates, Saudi
Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar.
Our Core Segments
Become a leader within sports retailing
through partnership with leading brands,
introducing innovative concepts and
growth through acquisitions.
Operate leading F&B franchises and
home grown concepts across the
GCC, and growth through
acquisitions.
Introduce and operate renowned
fashion brands in the UAE and wider
GCC.
Goal: To create a
platform for sports
retailing,
merchandizing,
services and solutions
unlike any in the
Middle East.
Strategy: Maximize the tremendous awareness of and subsequent
demand for major sports brands in the region by establishing
focused concept stores in partnership with prestigious global
sports brands and acquisitions of established players in the region.
Market opportunity: The retail sector has seen unprecedented
growth growing at a robust pace across the GCC owing to favorable
demographics and surging tourism. The sports segment represents
a substantial proportion of the overall market and is marked by
less competition relative to other segments.
Our platform will encompass:
 Master Franchise
 Concept stores developed in tandem with leading
sportingbrands
 Strategic acquisitions
Vision for 2018
 Consolidated revenue of approximately AED 800 million
 1,000 strong workforce spanning 50 stores across eight brands
 Aspirations to be one of the most unique and diverse sports
retailing company in the GCC region
 Long term vision to maximize the entire sports division as a
separate listed entity creating substantial shareholder value.
Mission: To identify and partner with ‘best in class’ brands across
the fashion spectrum with a key focus on the ladies wear,
children’s wear, footwear and accessory segments.
Goal: To build a
focused portfolio of
brands in the fashion
segment and be the
partner of choice for
Fashion brands
seeking to enter the
Middle East market.
Market opportunity:
The retail sector has been growing at a robust pace across the
GCC owing to favorable demographics and surging tourism. The
Fashion segment represents a substantial proportion of the
overall market and presents huge growth potential for any fashion
brands considering an entry into the Middle East.
The platform will encompass:
 Master Franchise Partnerships for the UAE & GCC Region
 Strategic Acquisitions
 Joint venture partnerships with leading fashion brands.
Mission: To delight our customers through a relentless focus on
continuously improving our F&B products and by providing a service
that is attainable, accessible and affordable.
Goal: To build brand
value and deliver an
extraordinary customer
experience that will
allow us to be a
premium operator in
the region.
Market opportunity: The F&B market is growing very fast driven by
an expanding population, robust economy, higher disposable
incomes, changing consumer habits and a fast-growing dine-out
culture. Marka Hospitality will convert these opportunities into
successful and sustainable businesses by delivering what the
customer wants in a specific markets and demographics.
Growth Strategy: Marka Hospitality is pursuing an ambitious growth
strategy in the GCC with a balanced combination of operating
Franchised F&B concepts with leading brands and unique F&B
concepts developed in-house with globally renowned partners.
Brand Positioning: Marka Hospitality will focus on diversified Casual,
Dining, Fast Casual and Quick Service restaurants and cafes targeting
mid-to high-end segments.
VISION FOR 2018:
• To operate 50 F&B outlets across six GCC countries in 5 years.
• Achieve a total revenue of AED 245 million in 2019, with a CAGR
of 60% over 5 years.
Growth through acquisitions
•
•
•
Investment in local UAE businesses with scope for expansion in the UAE,
but more importantly in the GCC
A handful of brands that we will look to exploit internationally in
years 3-5
Case study [placeholder text box]
Some of the brands we love & partner with.
Marka is thrilled to bring the exclusive UEFA Champions League Experience - the first
comprehensive concept destination that captures the prestige, passion, excitement,
diversity and international appeal of the highly revered Champions League.
“
UEFA Champions
League Experience is
inspired by the
atmosphere, energy
and passion of UEFA
Champions League
football, the
destination retail
concept will feature a
unique combined
retail and restaurant
offering.
Fierce pride and passion sets football apart from all other sports.
Champions League Experience will create an innovative, stimulating environment where
customers can watch live matches and game highlights while they shop and dine.
The essence of the Competition will be captured through strategic visual displays, lighting, and
iconic branding of the clubs and UEFA Champions League to stimulate the awe, wonder and thrill
of being present at a live match.
“
The UEFA
Champions League
Experience mission is
to ensure that each
fan’s experience is the
best it can be.
In December 2014, Marka acquired the Modell’s franchise in the UAE.
America’s oldest, family-owned and operated retailer of sporting goods,
athletic footwear, active apparel and fan gear, Modell’s provides the
excellence it is committed to and known for.
“
Modell’s Sporting
Goods stands for
selection, quality,
value, and superior
customer service – all
backed by a
dedication and
willingness to go that
extra mile to guarantee
complete customer
satisfaction.
“
xxx
Chef Heinz Beck holds five Michelin stars and is associated
with some of the most popular fine dining restaurants across
the world, including Rome, Algarve, Tokyo and Dubai.
“
The restaurant will
feature a menu of
authentic regional
Italian cuisine
prepared in an
innovative and
contemporary way,
targeting the mid-to
high segment of the
market at
affordable prices.
Featuring seasonally updated menu of authentic Italian cuisine,
Beck will bring real Italian “gusto” to the tables of the UAE. The concept will
be centered around the traditional art of Italian cuisine in a contemporary
and relaxed setting that encapsulates the jovial spirit of Italian culture along
with their professionalism and passion for fine dining.
“
With a dedicated space
featuring a personally
and carefully curated
selection of high
quality gourmet
products from every
corner of Italy,
customers can take a
piece of Italy home from homemade breads
and pizza crusts to
irresistible sauces and
gelatos.
Invoking Diana Vreeland’s famous dictum, Harper’s Bazaar Café will
encapsulate the mission of Harper’s BAZAAR to ‘continually reinvent
itself to delight, inform and inspire its audience.’
Harper’s Bazaar Café is a living embodiment of the stories, styles
and fashion found within Harper’s Bazaar Magazines. A blend of
local flavor with international style, creating a truly social space in
which to see and experience new things.
“
Harper’s Bazaar Cafe is
not only about fashion and
food, but also art, culture
and interiors.
The Café will have
interactive features
showcasing the latest
trends in the world of
fashion such as live
hairstyling and make-up
sessions to drive
customers into the café.
The UEFA Champions League Experience is not complete without a half-time
break. Designed as a social and entertaining culinary journey that compliments
the retail element, the restaurant will feature a family focused menu that
reflects a range of European flavours and cuisines.
Customers can relish their delicacies and drinks in a vibrant environment,
designed to share the moment while watching live football games on giant
screens to deliver authentic UEFA Champions League Experience
“
The menu will
comprise out of an
array of Kick-Off
Starters, leading to
“Half Time Bites”.
To complete the
experience, we serve a
sweet finale of “Extra
Time Dessert”
complimented with a
variety of mocktails,
fresh juices and
energy drinks.
Ca’puccino will offer discerning customers an authentic Italian experience in
a dynamic, premium environment. The menu, which is sourced in Italy and
created by a resident Italian chef, includes savoury tarts, delicious soups,
flans and panini along with fresh, handmade ice-cream and several regional
Italian coffees to enjoy.
“
The food is honest and
exquisite, and
according to Italian
traditions.
Many of the
desserts are completely
unique to Ca’puccino
and cannot be tasted
anywhere else.
The Essentiel mission is to bring fun into fashion at an affordable price. The label,
which began in Belgium in 1999 as a T-shirt collection, soon grew into a full-fledged
ready-to-wear collection. Today, the brand has presence in 35 countries
“
Essentiel Antwerp
stands for
refreshing, offbeat
and luxurious
fashion featuring
graphic and floral
prints and trendy
mixes of colors.
The collections
are rich, unique
and accessible.
With a focus on the social side of Ronaldo’s life, the brand offers unqiue, exclusive
and easily recognizable shoes for men, women and children.
All CR7 Footwear shoes are carefully designed and tested, using the finest available
leather, with a perfect standard regarding fit and workmanship.
“
CR7 Footwear is a new
brand from Cristiano
Ronaldo.
Based on the superstar
footballer’s identity, image
and lifestyle, CR7
Footwear is for the
discerning consumer that
identifies with the
excellence, performance
and sophistication that
Ronaldo embodies.
Established in 1892 by Albert
Weill in the heart of Paris,
Weill is the oldest French
‘fashion house’, renowned for
delivering the best of Parisian
elegance, season after season.
“
Heralded as the pioneer of
the ready-to-wear fashion
category , Weill is well
known for its feminine
suits, tweeds, and printed
silks.
Its range includes
wardrobe essentials for
everyday use (work and
evening) with seductive,
highly feminine twists.
Known for turning the spotlight on any woman wearing it, Laurèl was
founded in Germany in 1978. The affordable luxury brand achieved
international acclaim when it debuted at the Milan Fashion Week in 1995
and again at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin in 2013.
“
Laurèl is the perfect
fusion of glamour and
nonchalance.
With its focus on
exceptional details,
vibrant colors and
feminine cuts, the
collections translate
into effortless class.
Sonia Rykiel celebrated her
40th anniversary in 2009
through a partnership with
H&M, cementing her global
status as a fashion icon.
“
Sonia by Sonia Rykiel has
an inimitable Parisian and
Saint-Germain-des-Pres
style - intense, intelligent,
attractive and fun. The
label is known for its
active, sporty, feminine
and fun pieces suitable for
today’s contemporary,
individual woman.
The Berenice logo is angel wings, a
timeless image, both classic and elegant,
symbolizing lightness, freedom, and
purity – the image the designer,
Frederick Krief creates for.
“
Berenice was founded in
France in 2005 as a
network of five stores.
Since then, the brand has
expanded to over 70
addresses offering a
diverse range of styles that
exemplify both roots and
bourgeois.
The collections feature an
easy-to-wear rock and
bohemian ‘je-ne-sais-quoi’
style.
Growth through acquisitions
Key Contacts:
•
•
•
Investment
local
UAEDevelopment
businesses with scope for expansion in the UAE,
Richard Mudie,in
Director
Business
richard.mudie@markholding.com
butEmail:
more
importantly in the GCC
A handful
of MD
brands
that we will look to exploit internationally in
Mike Thompson,
Marka Sports
years
Email:3-5
mike.thompson@markaholding.com
Case
study [placeholder text box]
Ravi Chandran, MD Marka Hospitality
Email: ravi.chandran@markaholding.com
Passionate about retail.