Famous international brands to capitalise their investments in Egypt

"The Egyptian customers have been always very pro-MANGO and we do not want to disappoint them," says founder

Ten years ago, no one would have imagined buying high-end products right from the heart of Cairo. However, nowadays, average local malls display impressive line of international brands and designers. Despite the relatively expensive prices these shops sell their products at, these brands are only expanding in Egypt and their popularity are rapidly increasing among people.
Egypt has been witnessing the expansion of famous international brands in its market. During the previous month, the fashion industry took two major leaps.
American clothing company Tommy Hilfiger took the decision to make their runway collection available in Egypt for the very first time in the company's history, something that manifests the strength of their local sales.
Meanwhile, Italian luxury clothing company Salvatore Ferragamo enlarged its selection of products available in its Cairo store to include apparel, as the local market has been embracing the brand sufficiently.
Walking the same line, in coordination with their 10th anniversary in Egypt, MANGO decided to expand their investments in Egypt, and establish one of the biggest concept stores in the country.
It is an island of products, where "everything-MANGO" creates a postal card from Barcelona to Cairo with love. During a very brief visit to Cairo, Isac Andic, co-founder of MANGO, announced one large step his company is about to take.
A major share of the capital's shopping destination, City Stars, will soon be turned into one vast open area to harbour MANGO's garments.
Despite the shortness of his visit, which only lasted for a few hours before heading to Saudi Arabia, Andic made sure to meet local media, and personally declare the first official announcement about MANGO Island.
Daily News Egypt met Andic to discuss the size of MANGO's investments in Egypt plus their future plans of expanding their presence whether through stores or factories.
When did MANGO enter the Egyptian market?
MANGO started in Egypt in 2005 and we currently have four stores, plus two new additions opening next month. As for the coming two years, we have a plan to open 12 to 14 stores within this period. We will also be serving our customers in other cities, such as Mansoura and Alexandria, plus new parts of Cairo.
In your opinion what makes MANGO unique?
Work hard, work hard and work hard! A lot of investigations, a lot of good designers and a very motivated team, plus following international designers all around the world. We must be the best for what we are trying to do.
Andic meeting MANGO's in-store team in Cairo festival City
(Photo from Retail Group facebook page)
Where does MANGO manufacture its various products?
We design in Spain and produce in China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey and Morocco. Meanwhile, the design and distribution are centred in Barcelona, Spain.
Can Egypt be included in such a chain soon?
It is always possible, yet we do not have any concrete plans at the moment. Nonetheless, we always take into consideration to produce here, because I am 100% sure that we buy most of our cotton from Egypt.
The largest number of MANGO stores is located in Istanbul, Turkey – could Egypt have the largest number of stores during the coming period?
We have 100 shops in Turkey and their population is 70 million and the average age of the population is 28 years old, a very young population. Egypt is definitely on the right track, and the economy is changing every day, and improving. So I have no doubt that within the next few years, Egypt can become like Turkey.But let me tell you one more thing about this point – MANGO has 17,000 people working directly with it, we are in 108 countries with 2,700 shops all around the world.
What are your upcoming projects in Egypt?
We are doing a great job with the Retail Group, they are our partners here in Egypt. We are opening a lot of shops and we are really excited, because the Egyptian customers have been always very pro-MANGO and we do not want to disappoint them. Accordingly, we want to open new beautiful concept stores of MANGO which will include Men, Kids and SHE. In regards to the size, we are planning on opening other shops that target curvy ladies with sizes that start from 42 to 56.
Mango was founded in 1984 by brothers Isak and Nahman Andic in Barcelona, Spain. Today the company has several franchises around the world in all the key capitals. The company's name was chosen by Isak in reference to a fruit as it is pronounced in the same way globally.
MANGO's franchise in Egypt is run by the local multi-brand company Retail Group Egypt which manages several names in Egypt such as Gap, Moonson, La Vie en Rose amid others.