In a move to expand its empire internationally, Myer is planning to open its first store overseas in Dubai late next year, followed by another four stores in the Middle East as well as a move into the rapidly growing Eastern European market.
As Myer CEO Bernie Brookes told the Sydney Morning Herald, Dubai was the obvious choice for the first international store because the city was recognised as the shopping hub of the region and was one of the most densely shopped cities in the world.
"Three of the 10 largest shopping malls in the world are in Dubai, and retail is expected to surge by 12 per cent through until 2011 in the UAE, but at an even faster rate in Dubai," he said.
He said it was a turning point for the company and would establish Myer as "an international-class department store".
"We have been focusing on getting our home market right, which we have done, and we will be opening another 15 stores, so we will outgrow Australia," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Brookes said Myer Dubai would resemble a city store like Myer Bondi and would stock a full range of designers and lines.
Myer will open in the new Ibn Battuta Mall in a 50-50 joint venture with Nakheel Retail, an arm of the Dubai World group of companies. Nakheel Retail recently bought the New York department store Barneys, with plans to use the brand as an anchor-tenant in its new malls.
Brookes said full details, the complete roll-out plan and the company’s international strategy would be released at its full year results in September.