Leading retailer to invest $1 billion, add 400 stores in GCC, India and Southeast Asia

Landmark Group celebrates its 50th anniversary

Middle East
Caption: Middle East’s leading retailer plans 400-store expansion, entering new markets like Saudi Arabia and India with VIVA and Babyshop brands by 2025.
Source: Landmark Group

DUBAI: Landmark Group, one of the Middle East’s largest retail and hospitality conglomerates, has announced a landmark $1 billion investment to support a 20 percent expansion of its retail footprint over the next three years.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Group plans to open 400 new stores across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), India, and South-East Asia, reinforcing its position as a leader in value-driven retail.

According to Chairwoman Renuka Jagtiani, the Group is committed to "serving customers through its own brand portfolio, offering relevant products and value."

As part of this strategic expansion, Landmark will introduce its grocery discount chain, VIVA, to Saudi Arabia in 2025, while Babyshop, the Group’s dedicated children’s retailer, is set to enter India across four cities by late 2024.

Landmark Group's Chairwoman Renuka Jagtiani emphasises importance of physical stores, while building seamless online and offline shopping experience.

Landmark operates across 17 countries, with over 2,200 stores encompassing 33 million square feet, offering products that cater to lifestyle needs across categories such as fashion, home, electronics, and grocery. Leading brands within its portfolio include Centrepoint, Max Fashion, Home Centre, and Splash. The Group's retail operations, which account for $7 billion in annual revenue, are bolstered by its online presence, with 12 independent ecommerce stores contributing 20% of total sales.

CEO Kabir Lumba highlighted the Group’s commitment to its growth trajectory: "We are committing $1 billion over the next three years towards our physical expansion and upgrading ecommerce, technology, and supply chain capabilities." Lumba also noted that Landmark’s online business continues to grow "strongly at over 20% per annum," as the Group keeps pace with evolving customer needs.

CEO Kabir Lumba outlines Landmark Group's $1 billion investment to boost store expansion, ecommerce, and supply chain growth.

Advanced Logistics

Supporting Landmark’s retail network is its advanced logistics infrastructure, including the recently established Logistiq—a third-party logistics company launched in 2022. With 12 million square feet of warehousing and automated distribution facilities, including a flagship $350 million Mega Distribution Centre in Jebel Ali, Landmark is enhancing its last-mile delivery and logistics capabilities across key markets.

"We’ve rapidly scaled our last-mile delivery services to handle over 20,000 daily shipments across Saudi Arabia and UAE," Lumba added, outlining plans for expanding its logistics footprint throughout the GCC with enhanced freight, warehousing, and cross-border delivery solutions.

Embracing Sustainability

Landmark Group is committed to sustainable practices, aiming for net zero emissions across its value chain by 2050. The Group’s sustainability framework includes responsible sourcing initiatives, such as its membership in the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which has positioned Landmark as the Middle East’s largest buyer of BCI-certified cotton. Recently, the Group launched a textile and furniture takeback programme in the UAE, with plans for a GCC-wide rollout.

In addition to environmental goals, Landmark is actively engaged in community support, notably through its Beat Diabetes programme, which has benefited 165,000 people over 15 years.

On its 50th anniversary, Landmark Group commits to net zero by 2050, investing in tech, ecommerce, and logistics for 20% growth.

The Future of Landmark Group

As part of its commitment to an omnichannel experience, Landmark Group is enhancing store designs and investing in technology to streamline online and offline shopping. Jagtiani emphasised, "Physical stores remain a vital part of the retail experience. We continue to upgrade store design whilst investing in ecommerce and innovation to ensure a seamless customer experience."

With a diverse workforce of over 53,000, Landmark continues to be certified as a Great Place to Work since 2017, fostering a culture that supports both organisational growth and community well-being.