RIYADH — Ahmed Seddiqi is stepping past its UAE dwelling base for the primary time in its 75-year historical past, opening a flagship boutique in Riyadh that alerts the family-owned retailer’s ambitions for regional development within the Center East’s booming luxurious market. The 4,400-square-foot boutique on the celebrated Tahliah Avenue opened Tuesday, showcasing greater than 25 watch and jewellery manufacturers throughout devoted flooring in a structure designed to raise the client expertise. The transfer comes as Saudi Arabia‘s luxurious retail sector continues its dynamic growth, with Swiss watch exports to the Kingdom surging 31 % in March 2024.
“2025 is a major yr for the enterprise,” Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi, chief government officer of Ahmed Seddiqi, informed WWD. “It marks 75 years since being established by my late grandfather Mr. Ahmed Qassim Seddiqi, an ever-evolving portfolio of luxurious watch and jewellery manufacturers and a lately refreshed identification of the enterprise to Ahmed Seddiqi.”
The timing displays each milestone and momentum. Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a worldwide luxurious hub below Imaginative and prescient 2030, coupled with a brand new technology of youthful collectors has created what Seddiqi describes as an “extremely thrilling” alternative for the area.
Unbiased Manufacturers Take Heart Stage
The boutique’s assortment displays Ahmed Seddiqi’s technique of positioning unbiased watchmakers alongside established luxurious homes. Ressence, Bremont and H. Moser & Cie anchor the unbiased watch providing, whereas Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin signify Swiss haute horlogerie.
“We now have all the time highlighted the significance of unbiased manufacturers and craftsmanship to audiences and as such, it will proceed to be our focus in Riyadh as we glance to enrich the Kingdom’s luxurious providing,” Seddiqi stated.
On the jewellery facet, the retailer is introducing two Italian manufacturers, Palmiero and Picchiotti, to the Saudi marketplace for the primary time, alongside Suzanne Kalan’s up to date wonderful jewellery.
“There was numerous thought and consideration that went into our flagship boutique within the Kingdom,” Seddiqi defined. “From the design aesthetics, exterior facade, coaching our retail staff and curating the manufacturers in our portfolio, all these features are distinctive to Ahmed Seddiqi.”
The boutique options 4 VIP rooms for personal appointments, branded shop-in-shop areas and a hospitality zone. A notable service element consists of an on-site watch technician for rapid repairs and servicing, a degree of differentiation out there.
“We will even have an in-house watch technician within the boutique to assist shoppers with rapid fixes and servicing necessities,” Seddiqi famous, extending the experience of Ahmed Seddiqi’s Swiss Watch Providers middle in Dubai, described as the most important unbiased after-sales facility of its form.
For Seddiqi, the growth is about greater than retail presence, its additionally constructing a cultural vacation spot. “We look ahead to cultivating a neighborhood of horology and jewellery lovers as we construct lasting relationships with new and current shoppers,” he stated. “Our objective was to construct a cultural vacation spot that’s rooted in hospitality, belief, and experience, and in keeping with Saudi Arabia’s transformation as a worldwide luxurious hub.”
The emphasis on schooling and expertise aligns with the corporate’s long-term strategy. “We’re wanting to proceed to create distinctive experiences for the viewers in Saudi Arabia and supply a platform that drives consciousness and schooling on horology, luxurious, and craftsmanship,” Seddiqi added.
Measured Progress Forward
Requested whether or not extra Saudi areas are deliberate, Seddiqi took a cautious tone. “For now, the flagship boutique is our focus from an growth perspective. Sooner or later, if a chance arises that feels proper for the enterprise we will definitely discover this.”
The strategy displays the corporate’s household enterprise DNA. Abdul Hamied Seddiqi, chairman of Seddiqi Holding, emphasised the milestone: “As a household enterprise that’s at the moment celebrating its seventy fifth anniversary, this growth marks a giant second for us all as we proceed to honor our founder’s imaginative and prescient.”
Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi sees the Saudi growth as a pure evolution of that founding imaginative and prescient. “My grandfather was pushed by his ardour for watches and to this date, that’s one thing we because the third and fourth technology within the enterprise look to as we honor his legacy and imaginative and prescient,” he stated. “We stay dedicated to collaborating and listening to our stakeholders and shoppers, constructing stronger connections with manufacturers and companions, and pioneering the posh retail panorama for years to come back.”
The retailer operates greater than 50 boutiques throughout the UAE and carries greater than 100 manufacturers. The Riyadh opening represents what the corporate calls “a market-first for the viewers,” suggesting its curated strategy to unbiased watchmaking and personalised service could discover fertile floor in one of many world’s fastest-growing luxurious markets.
