The premier fragrance house launches its modern retail concept at its Al Faisaliah Centre boutique

Saudi Arabia, April 2011 – Ajmal Perfumes, one of GCC’s finest and most established fragrance houses has commenced its extensive retail revamp and expansion plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the unveil of its modern retail concept at its boutique in Al Faisaliah Centre, Riyadh. The revamp is part of Ajmal’s SR50million five-year expansion plan to revamp its 135-strong existing outlets across the GCC with a completely fresh and modern retail ambience, as well as launch a series of new outlets in key markets.

Designed around Ajmal’s modern retail philosophy called Crafting Memories, which was unveiled in the UAE in July 2009, the Ajmal boutique at Al Faisaliah Centre is the first in the Kingdom to undergo the series of revamps, which now boasts of a whole new open-plan layout where customers can enjoy the experience of Ajmal’s finest fragrances, oudhs and oils within a vast, stylish and contemporary environment. The subtle ambient lighting, open displays and the arrangement of fragrances from light, medium to strong have all been designed to provide consumers with an enhanced positive retail experience.

The new philosophy, Crafting Memories, reflects the foundations and beliefs on which the Ajmal legacy has been built on. It is inspired from the belief that fragrances have the power to evoke a union of all five senses within an individual, and it is this union of senses that creates lasting memories of the special moments in people’s lives.

The Al Faisaliah Centre, which embodies one of the Kingdom’s most luxurious lifestyle and business destinations located in the premier commercial district of Riyadh complements Ajmal’s vision to progress its brand into the 21st century and aptly reflects the brand’s ethnic chic image. 

“The boutique décor revamp in Al Faisaliah Centre, Riyadh is the first leg of our larger Saudi Arabian expansion strategy. Saudi Arabia represents one of Ajmal’s largest retail markets because of its high consumer spending power and modern retail infrastructure. In addition Saudi consumers are familiar with the superior quality and appeal of Ajmal fragrances. As such we will continue to invest behind revamping as well as launching new Ajmal boutiques across the Kingdom within the coming years” said Nazir Ajmal, Chief Operating Office and Chief Perfumer, Ajmal Perfumes.

“The revamping exercise along with our new retail philosophy, Crafting Memories, seeks to elevate the brand into a true luxury brand that caters to the discerning tastes of consumers from this region, whilst appealing to a wider and more global audience. Our presence in the prestigious Al Faisaliah Centre with its breath taking panorama of Riyadh, and the surrounding landscape delivers an all round sensory experience that is essential in the modern retail of fragrances,” added Nazir Ajmal.

Today Ajmal Perfumes, managed by the second and third generation of the Ajmal family, is a sprawling business with an annual turnover of over USD200 million. With aggressive expansion plans, Ajmal aims to be a regionally powerhouse that is recognized worldwide.

Dubai, 21 December ‘10 – The exotic scents and nuances of Arabian perfumery continues to mesmerize us all, and the glamorous world of film is no exception. Stars and starlet’s gracing this year’s Dubai International Film Festival were immersed in the luxurious world of Arabian-inspired fragrances by Ajmal Perfumes, the multi FiFi award-winning fragrance house. From rich Orientals, to intoxicating Dahn Al Oudhs and chic French fragrances, celebrities visiting the DPA Gift Lounge at the Al Qasr were certainly spoiled for choice. The gifting of fine fragrances to regional and international A-listers, movers and shakers of the film industry who are in Dubai for the film festival has become a customary tradition for Ajmal Perfumes. It is one of the ways in which the brand ensures that the stars experience the charm and mystique of Arabia

Premier fragrance house, Ajmal Perfumes, wins big at the inaugural FiFi Dubai 2010

Dubai, December 2010 – It was a proud and defining moment for Ajmal, when it won three awards at the region’s first ever FiFi, the international event that celebrates excellence in the fragrance industry. The luxury fragrance house received awards for Arabian Prestige (Male), Arabian Popular Appeal (Male) and Mono-brand Retailer of the Year. Organized by the Fragrance Foundation Arabia (FFA), the inaugural FiFi Dubai Awards, held recently at the Address Downtown, brought together some of the region’s biggest names in luxury fragrances alongside top international brands, key industry players, retailers, marketers and distributors. The event marks a significant development in the globalization of the region’s fragrance industry and is a testament to the important role that the Middle East plays in shaping future global trends in the sector.

‘It is indeed an honor to win these awards at the first ever FiFi to be held in the region as it further establishes Ajmal perfumes as one of the premier fragrance houses in the region, said Abdulla Ajmal, Deputy General Manager, Ajmal Perfumes. ‘Throughout our 60-year journey, we have continuously strived to strike the delicate balance between our ethnic ethos, modernity and innovation. As a progressive brand, we have carved a niche positioning as an ethnic chic brand that is versatile enough to evolve with the times whilst remaining relevant and identifiable to our consumers. Therein lies the appeal of Ajmal perfumes’.

The Mono Brand Retailer of the Year Award was presented to Ajmal for their retail philosophy Crafting Memories, which was unveiled during a revamp exercise in July 2009. Conceived from the notion that beautiful fragrances unify the human senses and create lasting memories in people’s lives, the phased revamp of all Ajmal outlets boasts a new open-plan layout within a spacious, stylish and contemporary environment that is essential for an interactive and sensory retail experience.

The Arabian Prestige (Male) and Arabian Popular Appeal (Male) Awards were bestowed upon two of Ajmal’s finest male fragrances, Dahn Al Oudh Maysam and Khawatir respectively. Sophisticated, elegant yet powerful, both fragrances epitomizes the dignified realm of Arabian perfumery.

Ajmal’s expertise and know-how of the fragrance business in the Middle East region, alongside its in-depth understanding of the intricate history of perfumery in the Arab world have enabled the brand to keep their finger on the consumer pulse, and stay on top of key trends in the regional and international fragrance industry. With their nose for creating exceptional and captivating oudhs, oils and perfumes, Ajmal fragrances appeal to both local and international audiences.

According to Abdulla Ajmal, the inaugural FiFi was a tremendous success not just for Ajmal but for the industry as a whole. “The word of fragrances has its roots in the Middle East, and the region is home to some of the world’s most established luxury fragrance houses with an international clientele. As such, FiFi Dubai 2010 marks an important milestone in the international promotion of the Middle East’s luxury fragrance sector. It demonstrates the region’s standards of excellence and creativity to a wider, more global audience and it will certainly help to enhance the image of the region’s fragrance industry”.

Abdulla Ajmal

Dubai, September 2010 – In a milestone move for the Middle East’s perfume industry the UAE’s finest fragrance house, Ajmal perfumes, has become the Middle East’s first luxury perfumer to join Fragrance Foundation Arabia. The Dubai-based company and the New York headquartered foundation will create a partnership designed to further enhance the image of the region’s fragrance industry.

Abdulla Ajmal, Deputy General Manager, Ajmal Perfumes was nominated as the Vice President of the Foundation. The Middle East chapter follows the foundation of partner organizations in Australia, UK, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Japan and soon Brazil. Ajmal Perfumes’ association with Fragrance Foundation Arabia places it amongst the prestigious ranks of legendary fragrance houses including Elizabeth Arden, Coty, Guerlain, Helena Rubenstein, Chanel and Parfums Weil.

“Ajmal will play a key role in adding depth, richness and heritage to the Foundation’s source of knowledge, research and development. Our 60 years of expertise and know-how of the fragrance business in the Middle East region and our in depth understanding of the intricate history of perfumery in the Arab world, will add value to the Foundation and benefit other international players,” added Abdulla Ajmal.

“Ajmal Perfumes’ recent expansion to Asia and the Levant, with the opening of boutiques in Kuala Lumpur and Beirut, coupled with our initiative to become the region’s first member of the Fragrance Foundation of Arabia are testaments to our international aspirations to take a leading role in the international promotion of the Middle East’s luxury fragrance sector,” said Abdulla Ajmal. 

Shahzad Haider, Chairman of Fragrance Foundation Arabia said, “Ajmal’s innovation and creativity as well as exceptional understanding of consumer trends will undoubtedly contribute towards the Foundation’s goals to enhance and uplift the fragrance industry standards in the region. Ajmal’s impressive regional and international presence and diverse product portfolio add a lot of credibility and will pave the way for many of its peers to follow suit,” Shahzad Haider continued. “It is a major step in the development of the Fragrance Foundation Arabia to have an profiled industry player involved in the strategy and management of this industry today”, added FFA’s president Grit Pannier

Fragrance Foundation Arabia brings to the Middle East diverse information on historic, cultural, scientific and industry related reference materials. Apart from maintaining one of the most extensive print and video fragrance libraries in the world, it also publishes educational and sales training materials. The Foundation also holds seminars and symposiums for its members and other international fragrance houses. In addition it celebrates the “FiFi” awards, akin to the “Oscars” of the fragrance world, to honor the fragrance industry’s creative achievements. True to its representation, the award has today become an icon for the global fragrance industry.

With its rich heritage and expertise in the region’s fragrance industry, Ajmal Perfumes has established a formidable presence in the GCC as one of the most premier fragrances houses. Its clientele, which have long included the region’s royalty, have come to expect the highest quality of oils and fragrances that is synonymous with the Ajmal brand.

New high-end boutique in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to capitalize on the country’s robust luxury retail sector and booming tourism

Ajmal Location 12

Dubai, July 2010 – One of UAE’s finest fragrance houses, Ajmal Perfumes, has opened its first flagship boutique outside the GCC, in the vibrant capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Located in Pavillion Kuala Lumpur, the country’s premier luxury shopping destination that is said to rival Tokyo’s Ginza and New York’s 5th Avenue retail districts, the new boutique marks a key milestone in Ajmal Perfumes’ evolution to become a true global luxury fragrance powerhouse. The company has invested over AED3.4mil behind the new boutique, which is the first in a larger international expansion plan.

With nearly 60 years of heritage and expertise in the fragrance industry, Ajmal Perfumes has established a formidable presence in the GCC as one of the region’s most premier fragrances houses. Its clientele, which have long included the region’s royalty, have come to expect the highest quality of oils and fragrances synonymous with the Ajmal brand. With its progressive philosophy and nose for latest trends and developments in the world of perfumery, Ajmal Perfumes is now poised for international exposure. 

“The boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is the first leg of our larger international expansion strategy into key global markets. Although the Western markets are experiencing a slowdown, the retail sector in South East Asia continues to remain robust. As such we have delayed our plans to open our boutique in London for another year, and have decided instead to move ahead with our Asian-expansion phase. Malaysia is a viable stepping stone for Ajmal Perfumes’ foray into other Asian markets because of its dynamic consumer mix and high consumer spending power” said Abdulla Ajmal, Deputy General Manager, Ajmal Perfumes.

“The retail landscape in cities like Kuala Lumpur is seeing a steady expansion in the demand for luxury and premium brands. On one hand, Malaysian consumers are increasingly well-traveled and hence exposed to diverse and international brands. On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur is a major world tourist destination. It is an international shopping haven especially for Arab nationals. As such we are confident that Kuala Lumpur is an ideal market for Ajmal Perfumes’ expansion into Asia where it will be well received as a global premium fragrance brand”, added Abdulla Ajmal.

The Malaysian government is targeting 24 million tourist arrivals for 2010, with estimated revenue of RM54bil (USD16.7bil). In 2009, Malaysia welcomed more than 23 million tourists, of which close to 285,000 were Arab nationals. [*Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/3/nation/20100503174211&sec=nation]

The newly opened boutique in Pavillion Kuala Lumpur boasts an open-plan layout where customers can experience Ajmal’s vast collection of fine Western and Oriental fragrances within a spacious, stylish and contemporary environment. It reflects a delicate blend between the brand’s ethnic chic image and its modern and progressive outlook. Subtle ambient lighting, open display areas and the arrangement of fragrances from light, medium to strong have been designed to introduce consumers in Malaysia to Ajmal’s luxurious world of exotic fragrances, and to offer them a holistic and satisfying retail experience.

The new locality in the uber-stylish Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is an extension of the company’s recent revamp strategy, spanning three to five years. It involves extensive plans to revamp its 135-strong existing outlets across the GCC with a completely fresh and modern retail ambience that reflects the brand’s high end and international stature.

The story of Ajmal began in Assam, India, when founder Haji Ajmal Ali first began trading in the lucrative oudh industry. Derived from the essence of agarwood trees, oudh can take up to 20-40 years to harvest, and can cost more than tens of thousands of dollars per kilo. As the demand for oils and fragrances made from oudh grew, Ajmal became one of the foremost suppliers of high quality oudh to the Middle East.

Today Ajmal Perfumes, managed by the second and third generation of the Ajmal family, is a sprawling business with an annual turnover of over USD200 million. In 2004, as a result of its phenomenal growth in the region and increased demand for its fragrances, Ajmal invested AED 35 million to build a 150,000 square feet manufacturing facility in Al Quoz Industrial zone, Dubai. The comprehensive facility, replete with the latest technology to facilitate research and development, and key processes such as blending, filling and packaging, has the capacity to produce up to 50,000 bottles of fragrances per day for regional distribution.

The distinction of Ajmal’s state-of-the-art R&D facility is further attested to by its affiliation with the Saudi Arabian Standardization Organization (SASO), which has granted Ajmal perfumes the authority to issue regulatory compliance certificates on behalf of SASO to any regional or international perfume brand that enters the Saudi Arabian market from the UAE.

New high-end boutique in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to capitalize on the country’s robust luxury retail sector and booming tourism

Dubai, July 2010 – One of UAE’s finest fragrance houses, Ajmal Perfumes, has opened its first flagship boutique outside the GCC, in the vibrant capital city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Located in Pavillion Kuala Lumpur, the country’s premier luxury shopping destination that is said to rival Tokyo’s Ginza and New York’s 5th Avenue retail districts, the new boutique marks a key milestone in Ajmal Perfumes’ evolution to become a true global luxury fragrance powerhouse. The company has invested over AED3.4mil behind the new boutique, which is the first in a larger international expansion plan.

With nearly 60 years of heritage and expertise in the fragrance industry, Ajmal Perfumes has established a formidable presence in the GCC as one of the region’s most premier fragrances houses. Its clientele, which have long included the region’s royalty, have come to expect the highest quality of oils and fragrances synonymous with the Ajmal brand. With its progressive philosophy and nose for latest trends and developments in the world of perfumery, Ajmal Perfumes is now poised for international exposure. 

“The boutique in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is the first leg of our larger international expansion strategy into key global markets. Although the Western markets are experiencing a slowdown, the retail sector in South East Asia continues to remain robust. As such we have delayed our plans to open our boutique in London for another year, and have decided instead to move ahead with our Asian-expansion phase. Malaysia is a viable stepping stone for Ajmal Perfumes’ foray into other Asian markets because of its dynamic consumer mix and high consumer spending power” said Abdulla Ajmal, Deputy General Manager, Ajmal Perfumes.

“The retail landscape in cities like Kuala Lumpur is seeing a steady expansion in the demand for luxury and premium brands. On one hand, Malaysian consumers are increasingly well-traveled and hence exposed to diverse and international brands. On the other hand, Kuala Lumpur is a major world tourist destination. It is an international shopping haven especially for Arab nationals. As such we are confident that Kuala Lumpur is an ideal market for Ajmal Perfumes’ expansion into Asia where it will be well received as a global premium fragrance brand”, added Abdulla Ajmal.

The Malaysian government is targeting 24 million tourist arrivals for 2010, with estimated revenue of RM54bil (USD16.7bil). In 2009, Malaysia welcomed more than 23 million tourists, of which close to 285,000 were Arab nationals. [*Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/3/nation/20100503174211&sec=nation]

The newly opened boutique in Pavillion Kuala Lumpur boasts an open-plan layout where customers can experience Ajmal’s vast collection of fine Western and Oriental fragrances within a spacious, stylish and contemporary environment. It reflects a delicate blend between the brand’s ethnic chic image and its modern and progressive outlook. Subtle ambient lighting, open display areas and the arrangement of fragrances from light, medium to strong have been designed to introduce consumers in Malaysia to Ajmal’s luxurious world of exotic fragrances, and to offer them a holistic and satisfying retail experience.

The new locality in the uber-stylish Pavilion Kuala Lumpur is an extension of the company’s recent revamp strategy, spanning three to five years. It involves extensive plans to revamp its 135-strong existing outlets across the GCC with a completely fresh and modern retail ambience that reflects the brand’s high end and international stature.

The story of Ajmal began in Assam, India, when founder Haji Ajmal Ali first began trading in the lucrative oudh industry. Derived from the essence of agarwood trees, oudh can take up to 20-40 years to harvest, and can cost more than tens of thousands of dollars per kilo. As the demand for oils and fragrances made from oudh grew, Ajmal became one of the foremost suppliers of high quality oudh to the Middle East.

Today Ajmal Perfumes, managed by the second and third generation of the Ajmal family, is a sprawling business with an annual turnover of over USD200 million. In 2004, as a result of its phenomenal growth in the region and increased demand for its fragrances, Ajmal invested AED 35 million to build a 150,000 square feet manufacturing facility in Al Quoz Industrial zone, Dubai. The comprehensive facility, replete with the latest technology to facilitate research and development, and key processes such as blending, filling and packaging, has the capacity to produce up to 50,000 bottles of fragrances per day for regional distribution.

The distinction of Ajmal’s state-of-the-art R&D facility is further attested to by its affiliation with the Saudi Arabian Standardization Organization (SASO), which has granted Ajmal perfumes the authority to issue regulatory compliance certificates on behalf of SASO to any regional or international perfume brand that enters the Saudi Arabian market from the UAE.

Ajmal unveils fresh, modern retail philosophy in an extensive series of revamps and expansions

There are many facets behind the making of a true family legacy and when it involves the world of fragrances, the imprints are often studded with passion, inspiration, and a real nose for success. Read the full story