Bloomie’s Dubai feted in New York 

-- Home Textiles Today, 12/12/2008 2:17:00 PM

Joan Karron and Frank Foley, both of CHF Industries, with Joe Laneve and Kevin Harter, both Bloomingdale’s.

New York – Bloomingdale’s held an “informational meeting” this week to discuss its planned store in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Held at the American Museum of Natural History here, it was co-hosted by Michael Gould, ceo of Bloomingdale’s and Shireen El Khatib, ceo of Al Tayer Insignia, the Middle East partner on the project.

The Bloomingdale’s in Dubai, scheduled to open February 2010, actually will be two stores – a one-level home store of about 54,000 square feet, and a three-level apparel and accessories store. The stores’ merchandise assortment, upscale ambience and high-toned customer service will be similar to its stores here, while being sensitive to local preferences and customs.

Shireen El Khatib, ceo of Al Tayer Insignia, with Bloomingdale’s ceo Michael Gould.

The stores will be managed and operated by Al Tayer Insignia, a company of the Al Tayer Group under a licensing agreement. Al Tayer was represented in the deal by Marvin Traub Associates. Michael Steinberg provided strategic support to Macy’s Inc., Bloomingdale’s parent.

Traub and Steinberg are former Macy’s Inc. division principals; Traub was chairman and ceo of Bloomingdale’s, and Steinberg was chairman and ceo of Macy’s West.