Exotica expands into the Emirates

Floral group eyeing many more
Arab markets

Local flower trading and landscaping group Exotica has recently opened its second outlet in the UAE. The new, full service, shop is situated in Dubai, on the Sheikh Zayed Road and stretches over 240 square meters.

Exotica began serving Dubai with a small delivery outlet. But increased demand pushed the company to open a branch, said Liliane Bou Rjeili, Sales and Marketing Executive.

Exotica Emirates was established in 2005 with landscape contracting and retail divisions, in Abu Dhabi. A 400 square meter showroom offered plants, flowers, pots, vases and accessories. Its delivery and corporate services cater to the entire country. The opening of the Abu Dhabi branch was followed by a 50,000 square meter nursery in Al Rahba, located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Bou Rjeili said that the Emirati market is very active and has great potential, but the many Lebanese and Emirati competitors make it challenging.

“We are eyeing outlets in several other Arab markets, but they are still under study.”

The brand extended its services to the Internet, in 2003, allowing consumers to order bouquets and arrangements online, internationally.

Locally, Exotica operates four branches in Verdun, Achrafieh, Kaslik, and Jal el Dib. It was founded in Lebanon, in 1978, under Debbane Group. Since then, the brand has grown to become one of the top floral and landscape contracting providers, in the MENA. It is also present in Jordan, KSA, Qatar, Egypt, Yemen and Kuwait.