Five Qatar-based companies with retail divisions have been listed among Forbes’ Top 100 Arab Family Businesses 2023.
Al Fardan Group, Darwish Holding, Almana Group, Abu Issa Holding and Ali Bin Ali Holding were ranked number 17, 57, 69, 96 and 97, respectively.
The ranking was based on various criteria such as the size and value of the businesses revenues from other holdings, their business activity last year, the sectors and geographies they diversified into, the performance of their key businesses and the sectors in which they operate, the legacy of the company and the total number of employees it recruits.
Out of eight top Qatari companies, (both retail and non-retail ones), Darwish Holding and Ali Bin Ali are the only two firms that featured in the top seven companies last year.
Al Fardan Group
Al Fardan Group, described by Forbes as one of the leading family conglomerates in Qatar, with a presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Türkiye and Switzerland, saw the biggest move up in its ranking at 17 as compared with 33 last year.
In October 2022, the Group signed a partnership with Google Cloud to support the group’s digital transformation.
Darwish Holding
Established in the 1900s by Abdullah Darwish with his brothers, Kassem and Abdulrahman, Darwish Holding has more than 1,700 employees representing more than 800 major brands across divisions such as retail, malls, estate and technology among others. Among its brands is Fifty One East, Qatar’s eldest, which offers luxury brands such as Boucheron, CHANEL, Givenchy, Rolex and TUDOR. The group also owns Lagoona Mall, housing 160 stores.
Al Mana Group
Al Mana Group moved a few points up to be at 69 this year. From its origins as a trading house in 1960, the Group has expanded into retail, F&B, engineering, technology, media and entertainment.
Abu Issa Holding
Abu Issa Holding launched its first concept, Blue Salon, in 1981. Today, the group operates in nine countries and across 11 sectors, including retail and distribution. In 2022, the group opened a flagship store for EX NIHILO PARIS in Qatar.
Ali Bin Ali Holding
Ali Bin Ali Holding started as an importer of international products to Qatar in 1945. Since then, it has evolved into one of the country’s largest retail and distribution companies, with operations in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Europe. It employs about 5,000 people and has more than 400 brands in its portfolio. For example, the company owns Monoprix in Qatar and the 21 High St shopping venue.
