Chinese childrenswear and lifestyle brand Balabala has partnered with Qatar’s Business Trading Company (BTC) to expand its operations into Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
BTC opened the region’s first Balabala store in UAE’s Dubai Hills Mall on February 28.
The brand stocks fashion and accessories for children up to 14 years old, focusing on skin-friendly and comfortable materials.
Launched in 2002, Balabala’s mission is to redefine luxury childrenswear and become consumers’ first choice globally, with their slogan ‘same childhood, different style’.
Nicole Zhou, head of the retailer’s international division, said: “We are delighted to welcome BTC to our family of partners bringing the Balabala experience to families across the region.
“Dubai Hills is an excellent new location to showcase our latest generation store concept.”
Abdul Aziz Al Rabban, chairman of BTC, believes Dubai is the perfect choice for Balabala’s first Middle East store.
“We are truly excited to announce the opening of the store in Dubai. It is a perfect location to present the brand and be able to offer our customers the Balabala experience,” he said.
In keeping with the retailer’s expansion plans within the region, he said Qatar will house Balabala’s second store in the Middle East: “We are even more excited to announce that our second store is also coming up at Place Vendome Mall Qatar.”
At present, Balabala maintains 4,800 stores in China and more than 40 stores internationally.
With the Middle East’s economic development in the past decade, childrenswear has seen increased demand and market growth, according to this year’s report by business management consultancy firm Mordor Intelligence.
In particular, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE have the greatest demand and market for childrenswear.
The report also stated key childrenswear companies based in Asia with expansion plans into and within the Middle East are likely to see growth in the region.
BTC launched Balabala’s e-commerce site alongside its first store, delivering within the UAE.
