Alshaya Trading Company, a premier commercial establishment operating in the Middle East since 1890, will be showcasing its latest product mix at this year’s Big 5 show, giving designers, architects and specifiers a completely new line of tailor-made solutions for their specific requirements.

As in previous years, the Dubai-based company will also promote its world-renowned sanitary ware, tiles, kitchens, mixers and bathroom accessories at the expo.
Commenting on the company’s expectations of the show, regional manager Ananth Narayan says: “We hope to receive the same encouraging response from decision-makers as we have received in previous years.”
Being one of the leading distributors of world-renowned European and American brands, the company has operations in Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and takes pride in providing unmatched quality and service to its discerning customers.
“There is no doubt that brand loyalty is a very strong factor amongst Alshaya customers,” Narayan points out.
He continues: “In line with the trends in the market and to enhance the choice of products available to clients, Alshaya has added a new variety to its repertoire of top-of-the-line products including agglomerated marble from Rover (Italy) and the sanitary ware suites F-1 and Joop designed by the renowned Porshe Design and Joop Living Hamburg, Germany exclusively for Keramag.”
“Alshaya’s product range – once viewed entirely for its utility – is now being looked upon as a statement of the individual’s personality and aspirations. Designers around the world are taking a refreshing look at commercial products like mixers, bathrooms, kitchens and tiles and finding ways to design them to reflect the buyer’s personality and aspirations,” he comments.
The company runs its UAE operations through its regional office in Dubai and a branch office in Abu Dhabi. It has a total of 11 showrooms in the region with design facilities focussing on the high end of the market. In addition, Alshaya also sells to the construction market through a highly professional project-oriented sales team, which focuses on getting the company’s range of products specified by the consultants.
Sales are showing a growth of 45 per cent this year compared to last year, the company’s future seems very positive, Narayan points out. Alshaya anticipates that this trend will continue for a few years to come.
“The market is segmented into consumer, retail and project sectors in this region. The latter has seen a lot of growth over the past years, thanks to the boom in the construction sector. We expect this to continue as the building pace has not slowed down and many new projects of gigantic proportions are coming up,” he explains.
“The business levels in the domestic market continue to show a growth pattern and both segments of the organisation (projects and showroom) are being continuously strengthened to meet future demands. Towards this end, the company has recently acquired new agencies for agglomerated marble from Italy, shelving and baggage trolleys from Holland and industrial racking from the Far East. New showrooms are being opened in Qatar followed by other Gulf countries,” he adds.
“Customers now have an unprecedented range of options to consider in kitchens, sanitary ware, ceramic tiles and accessories,” he points out. “The expansion of the range has also made the competition tough for companies dealing in kitchens, ceramic and sanitary ware and accessories as they have to work hard at providing that the impeccable quality demanded by the present-day market,” Narayan points out. “Alshaya spares no effort in satisfying its customers with its world-class brands of kitchens, ceramics and sanitary ware in an extensive array of designs, shades and textures. The bathroom suites and accessories, distributed by Alshaya are designed by the world’s best, and provide all the right ingredients – ergonomics, technology and design, he points out.
“Customers have their priorities and come to us with their unique requirements. Some want to immerse in the exuberance of luxury and some opt for saving space for more practical usage. Alshaya keeps pace with the fast-changing times and provides them optimum solutions to meet their own individual needs,” he adds.
The company has also expanded into the building materials sector and is planning to open a chain of specialised outlets specifically catering to customers looking for less expensive tiles, sanitary ware, faucets, kitchens etc. The outlets will be located in the UAE and Qatar followed by other markets.
In line with its diversification bid, the company recently became the exclusive Middle East franchisee for And So To Bed (London) – the first of its kind outside the UK. This high-end franchise has been set up in a separate showroom located at a prime location in Dubai for customers interested in buying premium quality beds, mattresses and linen.
Alshaya believes in going the extra mile in its marketing efforts through organising seminars, forum discussions and symposiums, inviting people from a variety of disciplines – including consultants, interior designers, architects and contractors – to discuss new developments and share its knowledge with the experts in these fields.
“It’s a continuous effort to make people aware of the optimum solutions which Alshaya can offer. Through these seminars, we not only manage to put our point across, but we also get the chance to hear their expert comments and share latest trends in the market,” he explains.
The group derives its strength from its recognised management quality, innovative strategies, best employer culture and substantial financial resource. “Building relations is a key word in Alshaya’s corporate philosophy as the management works hard to maintain its mutually beneficial relationship with international business partners and its valued customers,” Narayan points out.
Alshaya deals in a variety of tiles imported from Cooperative Ceramica D’Imola (Italy), ABK Campeginese (Italy), Cerypsa (Spain), Monocibec (Italy), Cimic (China), Guocera (Malaysia) and glass blocks from Vetroarredo (Italy). The company markets adhesives from BAL (UK) and has a broad range of sanitary ware imported primarily from Keramag (Germany) and Pozzi Ginori (Italy).
Apart from this, the company deals with shower enclosures, whirlpool steam showers and mixers from Huppe (Germany), Teuco (Italy) and Kludi (Germany) respectively; wooden kitchens from Nobilia (Germany); accessories from Keuco (Germany), washroom accessories and toilet partitions from Bobrick (US); and supermarket shelving from Kider (Spain), refrigeration equipment from Detroit (Italy) and industrial shelving from Mecalux (Spain).
Alshaya will be present at Hall 4, stand 4D151.