Living the UAE dream

It was a beautiful Thursday afternoon on January 16, 1992, when a young boy with big ambitions came to Dubai with just Dh80 in his pocket. Meet Vijay Samyani, Founder and Managing Director, Concept Brands Group, who has turned his business into a multi-million turnover.

Concept Brands Group is a leading brand house of luxury products, operating out of Dubai with an overall objective to meet the requirements of all connoisseurs and brand conscious customers in the region, at very competitive prices. The main activities of the company are supply to retail chains, hypermarkets, trading companies-import and export to international markets; large-scale events for consumers and distribution and also unique theory to retail by presenting 'brands4u' stores in the UAE.
"We are providing services to commercial sectors, fashion industry and different franchises. The products are all fashion brands, and we are also the authorised distributors of many brands in the UAE and GCC. We specialise in conceptualising events, retails and commercials. Brands4u is our new concept in the retail industry that has started putting his mark on the UAE. Brands4u, the biggest factory outlet in Dubai, officially opened at Dubai Festival City Mall on June 26 this year. The much-anticipated opening was attended by Arab actress, Layla Maqbali, and Bollywood actor, director and producer Arbaaz Khan, who inaugurated the opening ceremony," says Vijay Samyani, Founder and Managing Director of Concept Brands Group, in an interview with Khaleej Times.
What is the underlying vision that drives his organisation in its areas of expertise? Samyani replies, "The UAE is a region where people get inspired by trends. They are always looking for an opportunity that will provide a chance to have a one-on-one meeting with their brands of desire. Brands4u Outlet store is bringing a new trend and starting a new revolution in the UAE and GCC."
Elaborating on the latest trends in the field, Samyani says, "Our mission is to introduce various luxury brands to customers at a rock bottom price range. We provide a unique shopping experience by offering great product ranges and value for money. To bring this concept to reality, we brought a unique conceptualised store named 'brands4u' that provides one vision of 'Get value for money'."
Samyani explains how his business has evolved over the years. "The UAE has been a very promising market, and we have witnessed substantial growth over the past few years. As a platform that is conceptualised for the benefit of consumers and brand retailers, CBBC bridges the demand and supply of high-end brands in our market. Over the 13 years, CBBC has attracted over a million shoppers from the GCC with participation from over 500 international brands."
Looking ahead, what are his goals? Samyani replies, "We are delighted to offer value-based shopping experience to our customers. It is a destination store in the heart of the city, where shoppers get all their favourite brands under one roof at discounted prices. We believe that brands4u would open a wonderful shopping platform for them. Hopefully, before the end of this year, we will have four more stores under brands4u. We are also looking to open stores in Oman, Saudi, Kuwait and India."
Elaborating on the secret of his success, the MD says, "I am always bringing out the best in myself. Everyone is down at times, and we all have our doubts and fears, but I do believe that everyone has their unique capabilities. Sometimes all one needs is just a bit of encouragement; I try to be that. After all, 'A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle'. I always try to pass positive thoughts to everyone and encourage them to think beyond this and exceed limits to achieve more goals."
He adds, the people who are closest to me, my family, my friends, they are the source of my strength and motivation, they are the driving force that keeps me going but most of all they believe in me even when I doubt myself. I am the most sensitive person when it comes to my family - two beautiful daughters and a loving wife. My family plays the most significant role in the success of my life."
On the future of the fashion industry, he says, "It gives me immense pleasure to bring brands4u to the fashion industry and the response we had received from customers on the first day itself reflects the demand and popularity of our trend. We not only bring brands, but also focus on quality brands with an affordable price tag. So, visitors can come to fill their shopping bags without burning a hole in their pocket."
Quick takes

What were your dreams as a child?
As a kid, I wanted to be a cop. I use to see all these movies with crime fighting and was inspired by them. I often imagined myself in a police uniform, investigating crimes and catching crooks.

Are you strict about timing?
Managing your time is the most important skill you can have for productivity. Ever since I started my career, I have always been before time. Whether it's a meeting or an interview, getting late is not an option. No one gets more than 24 hours a day and I for one strive to make the most out of mine.

What is your favourite food?
Well, I like a lot of things but in general what I love the most is Thai cuisine.

Do you follow your itchy feet?
I see an opportunity in every step of my life. Even when things seem bleak, I often see an opportunity in everything, maybe it's just my nature. I am also never afraid to take risks. I believe that the greater the risk the bigger the reward will be. Brands4u is inspiring the industry and consumers with new trends. A complete family shopping destination, it fulfils the desires for brands of all generations with a focus on value for money.

Get out of your comfort zone

When I first came to Dubai, I was hired for a delivery job. I used to travel on foot carrying 20 kgs of packages of perfumes. I would be out all day even in the extreme hot climate of June and July delivering in several places. My whole body would get sore after a day's work. But I kept at it.
I had a comfortable life back home. Sometimes I useD to wonder if the effort was worth it. But now I know for a fact, you will not achieve something from the comfort of your bed. You have to get out, you have to challenge yourself, you have to do what is difficult, and its these things I've learnt, that have got me to where I am today.
-suchitra@khaleejtimes.com

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