Harvey Nichols, a leading global luxury retailer, and Harvey Nichols Doha LLC, a luxury retail company affiliated to the Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana (SHM) Group of Companies have signed an exclusive licence agreement for the development of a Harvey Nichols store in Qatar.

Targeted to open in Q1 2017 in Doha Festival City, the store will boast 80,000sft of retail space featuring an exclusive edit of fashion, beauty, childrenswear, homeware and a range of hospitality services, according to a statement issued yesterday by SHM Group of Companies.

The store will be Harvey Nichols eighth venture outside the UK and Ireland. Other international locations include Hong Kong, Dubai, Riyadh, Turkey and Kuwait.

The acquisition of the exclusive licence for the Harvey Nichols brand reinforces SHM Group of Companies as a leading presence in the luxury retail sector. Al Mana Luxury, an affiliate of the same group, operates boutiques for Hermes, Chloe’, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Balenciaga, Giuseppe Zanotti, Sergio Rossi, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Agent Provocateur, Anya Hindmarch and many other luxury brands.

The SHM group also has a diverse range of other businesses within its portfolio including automotive, luxury hospitality development, media, engineering as well as a diverse portfolio of property development. Operating in Doha since 1951, SHM Group of Companies has built a reputation for excellence in customer service.

Commenting on the partnership, Stacey Cartwright, chief executive of Harvey Nichols said: “Doha is an exciting market for Harvey Nichols due to the significant growth we are seeing in the country. The Qatari customer is increasingly important to our UK business and we look forward to being able to service them in their home market, with the best shopping and dining experience, when we open our doors for business”

Hisham Saleh al-Mana, chairman and managing director, SHM Group of Companies commented: “Harvey Nichols will add a great shopping and dining experience to Qataris and expats alike in Qatar. We truly believe in the growth of our beloved country; Qatar is paving the way to becoming the centre of attraction in the Gulf Region. Partnering with prestigious brands such as Harvey Nichols is a key factor of success as offering luxury retail products addresses our consumer needs.”