Dubai: Dubai-based retailer Al Madani Group, which represents Levis, Hang Ten, Dockers, Gas, Chevignon and Blush branded casual wear, has opened eight retail stores at Dubai Festival City's Waterfront - a new shopping destination.

"We are expanding our retail presence by more than two thirds to 100,000 square feet from the current 60,000 square feet," said Mohammad Madani, chairman and chief executive of Al Madani Group (AMG).

"Our new outlets at the Festival Waterfront is part of the expansion."

The company, which operates 70 retail stores in the UAE including 46 Hang Ten and 18 Levis outlets, last year generated Dh100 million in sales.

"We are witnessing about 30 per cent growth in sales across our brands. We sold about 1.5 million Hang Ten casual wears alone," Madani said.

He said the apparel retail business is becoming risky as higher operating costs are eating into its margins.

"Besides, the influx of fakes and counterfeit products are an issue that we are constantly dealing with," he said.

In order to retain customer loyalty, AMG has started loyalty cards.

"Right now we have 7,000 Hang Ten loyalty cardholders," said Preeta Menon, Brand Manager for Levis and Dockers. "But we are going to relaunch this to include all the brands."

The company has started channelling branded products in the retail market besides its own retail stores.

"This is going to help us to eliminate the counterfeit products from the market. Those who used to buy fake branded wear products, are now buying genuine products from us. This way, we are eliminating the counterfeit products," she said.

"We have started with eight retailers. The number is now growing and we find a strong desire among them to replace fakes with the genuine products."