1. In 1983, the legendary G-Shock was first launched to set a new standard as the first unbreakable watch. Can you reflect back on the progress of the G-Shock in the Middle East region and its position nowadays?
G-SHOCK enjoys a big market value and wide following in the Middle East, especially in the young segment of the population. We have successfully connected with the Arab youths by offering them a timepiece that perfectly fits their style, character, and taste. Whether they are into music, arts, and sports, we have wide collections to suit their personality. In fact, we are now known in the regional communities as ‘status and character expression watch.’ Graffiti artists in Saudi Arabia, for instance, only wear G-SHOCK watches, so do hip-hop and R&B artists in the UAE. When it comes to sports, we recently collaborated with Mr. Mohammed Balooshi after we found out that Motocross enthusiasts are G-SHOCK lovers as well. We are aiming high, and our aim is to be part of the lives of the Arab youths wherever they are.
Moreover, G-SHOCK can withstand the region’s tough weather conditions and environments. It can survive any type of harsh conditions, making it even more popular among discerning Arab customers.
2. G-Shock is known for its unique structure, functionality, solid material and its unique design. Are the above characteristics still represent the DNA of the brand today?
Absolutely. G-SHOCK is known for its toughness, elegant design, and technology, which are the three key elements that add value to our clientele’s daily experiences. People support trendy, stylish, technology-driven, and durable watches, leading us to develop and design unique models according to their needs, wants, and preferences. We create watches that suit everyone.
3. Following the 35th Anniversary of the G-Shock celebration in New York back in November 2017, how would you assess the UAE tour celebration?
Our 35th anniversary celebration held in Dubai on February 28, 2018 was a huge success. We were overwhelmed by the turnout. Many Arab loyal fans of G-SHOCK showed up to express their love and support for the brand. We are highly inspired. We hope to duplicate this success in other areas as well. Presently, we are planning to launch similar tour in Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. Apart from commemorating our achievements over the past 35 years, our anniversary event is also an opportunity to interact and engage with our loyal fans – whether they are into arts, sports, music, and other cultural activities. We hope to spread and promote G-SHOCK’s DNA in the region.
4. Are you launching G-Shock limited edition in the Middle East?
Yes, we are. We aim to deliver G-SHOCK message to as many people as possible and one way to do this is to collaborate with talented people such as artists, musicians, and athletes. Last year, we partnered with key organizations and individuals in the UAE to reach out to our local target market. For instance, we collaborated with Virgin Mega Store to release G-SHOCK limited edition to celebrate the UAE National Day. We are also working with Mr. Balooshi, an Emirati Motocross champion who participated in Dakkar, the toughest motor race in the world. More similar partnerships are now in the pipeline. We are very much open to discussing exciting opportunities with our fans in the region.
5. How is the G-Shock watch presence and penetration among the young generation in the Middle East region?
The Arab youths love G-SHOCK just like the rest of the world. Besides the young, those who belong to the age group of 40-50 also prefer our brand. For example, professionals love to wear our MRG series to accessorize their suits as they go to work. Many young people are G-SHOCK supporters but we are still working towards becoming a number 1 brand in this segment.
6. How many standalone shops for G-Shock you have in the Middle East region and what is your expansion plan for the region.
Currently, we have 20 point of sales across the region but we aim to increase our presence even further. Our target is to build more than 50 points of sales so we can be closer to our customers. As we work towards this target, we are also simultaneously expanding our geographical coverage by building our operations in Egypt and other countries in Maghreb and Levant regions. We tell our customers that we will be neighbors soon, and this is part of our commitment.