Harvey Nichols reveals Turkish move

Harvey Nichols is to open its fifth store outside the UK after signing an exclusive licence with Unitim, a diversified Istanbul-based business group that represents a number of brands in Turkey and Eastern Europe.

The fashion store will make its debut at Istanbul’s Kanyon Shopping Mall, scheduled to open in September 2006. The 86,115 sq ft (8,000 sq m), Harvey Nichols store will include fashion, fragrance, beauty and home, as well as a gourmet food market and fine dining restaurants, bar and cafe.

‘We are delighted to announce our partnership with the world-renowned Harvey Nichols Group, at the prestigious Kanyon Levent. It is our endeavor to make a firm commitment to bringing the best brands to Turkey and strengthen its image as the premier global destination for shopping and tourism,’ said Unitim Group chairman and chief executive Burç Cemiloglu.

The Istanbul Harvey Nichols will be the retailer’s fifth overseas shop, following a store in Riyadh and planned openings in Hong Kong and Dublin next month and in Dubai in December.

Untim was established in 1998 and holds the exclusive rights to distribute brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Gas, Camper, Accessorize and G-sus in Turkey. Unitim operates 93 stores in Turkey, Russia and CIS countries.