The Landmark Group is a leading retail conglomerate based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has a presence across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, with over 2,300 outlets and 65,000 employees. The Group operates multiple retail brands across various segments like fashion, footwear, home furnishings, electronics, and lifestyle. Some of the major companies under the Landmark Group are:
Fashion and Clothing Brands
The Landmark Group owns several popular fashion and clothing brands across value and mid-market segments. Some of the major fashion brands under it include:
- Max: Max is Landmark’s flagship fashion brand present across Middle East, North Africa and Indian subcontinent. It offers fashion clothing, footwear and accessories for men, women and children.
- Centrepoint: A fashion brand targeting young adults and teenagers. Its products include clothes, shoes, accessories, beauty and personal care.
- Babyshop: A leading mother and baby care brand store offering products for new borns, infants, kids and maternity segments.
- Shoe Mart: A chain of shoe stores across GCC region selling footwear from international brands.
- Splash: A fashion brand focused on women’s clothing, footwear, bags, accessories and beauty products.
- Lifestyle: Lifestyle stores are neighborhood department stores offering products across fashion, homeware, electronics for the entire family.
Homeware and Furniture Brands
The Home Centre and Home Box are Landmark Group’s retail chains focused on home furnishings, furniture, decor, kitchenware, home appliances and more. Some of its major homeware brands are:
- Home Centre: A leading home retailer in Middle East, Africa and India selling furniture, home decor, kitchenware, small appliances, home improvement and more.
- Home Box: A value homeware brand with wide range of contemporary furniture, soft furnishings and home accessories.
- FabFurnish: An online furniture brand that offers modular furniture, decorative items, lighting, furnishings and more on rentals.
Electronics and Technology Brands
Some technology and electronics retail chains owned by the group include:
- Sharaf DG: A retail chain operating electronics megastores and multi-brand outlets across Middle East.
- Emax: A brand offering electronics, IT, audio-visual, gaming products and more.
- Inorbit Malls: A chain of shopping malls in India also housing electronics and IT stores.
Other Major Brands
Some other major retail companies of Landmark Group are:
- Shoe Express: Footwear chain stores in Saudi Arabia.
- Centrepoint: Chain of stores offering personal care, cosmetics and perfumes.
- Uniformity: School uniforms retail stores.
- Level Shoes: A premium footwear brand.
- Max Fashion: Chain of fashion stores.
- Easybuy: Chain of hypermarkets and supermarkets.
- Little Home: Kids home furnishing stores.
- Citymax Hotels: Budget hotel chain in Middle East and Africa.
International Presence
The Landmark group has extensive international presence spanning across Middle East, Asia and Africa. Some of its major international markets are:
- Middle East: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon
- South Asia: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
- South East Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia
- Africa: Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya
Ownership and History
The Landmark Group was founded in 1973 in Bahrain by late Micky Jagtiani. Headquartered in Dubai, it continues to be owned by the Jagtiani family. Some key facts:
- Founded in 1973 as a one store operation in Bahrain by Micky Jagtiani.
- The group expanded across GCC countries in 1980s and 1990s.
- Entered India in 1999; became one of leading retail groups in India.
- Rapid expansion in Middle East, South Asia and Africa post 2000.
- Currently owned by Micky Jagtiani’s wife Renuka Jagtiani and his daughter. Chairman Micky Jagtiani passed away in 2022.
Financial Performance
As a privately held enterprise, the Landmark Group does not disclose detailed financial results. However, some key aspects of its financial performance are:
- The Group had revenue of around $15 billion as of 2018 estimates. With its expansion, revenue is estimated to have crossed $20 billion.
- It has been a profitable group since inception with strong cash flows. Operating margins are estimated to be around 8-12%.
- Group companies like Max, Lifestyle, HomeCentre, Centrepoint etc. are separately profitable business verticals.
- Strong balance sheet with low debt levels. Conservative leverage enables growth through internal accruals.
Competitive Strengths
Some of the key strengths and competitive advantages of Landmark Group are:
- Strong retail brands catering to local consumer preferences and tastes.
- Wide range of merchandise across value to premium segments
- Strong homegrown brands as well as franchises for international brands
- Lean operations and cost optimization across supply chain
- High speed expansion across markets
- Technology leverage across operations including data analytics
Conclusion
The Landmark Group represents one of the great retail success stories from the Middle East. From a single store in 1970s, it has grown to become one of the biggest retail conglomerates spanning 23 countries through its strong brands and business execution. As it continues to expand internationally, the group reflects the modern face of Middle Eastern enterprise in the 21st century.
