Children's Place expands presence in Middle East

SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Children's Place Retail Stores is expanding its presence in the Middle East with franchise agreements to open stores in the Arab Gulf States of United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman as well as Saudi Arabia. The first stores are scheduled to open in the UAE in September 2012 in Dubai and Sharjah. The first two stores in Saudi Arabia are scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2012.



Jane Elfers, president and CEO, stated, "We are very excited to continue our expansion beyond North America with a number of stores opening in the UAE this year. The Middle East retail landscape is very well developed and has high potential for our brand."



The stores opening in the UAE are part of a ten-year franchise agreement with Apparel Group. The stores opening in Saudia Arabia are part of a ten-year franchise agreement with Fawaz A. AlHokair & Co. SJSC, known as "Fashion Retail."