The paths of three men of different nationalities have crossed here in the Algarve: meet the managers at the helm of the region’s newest and largest shopping complex
Loulé was the chosen location to build the biggest retail complex in the country’s southernmost region. The investment, representing roughly €200 million, comprises three distinct areas: the Algarve Ikea store, the first to be inaugurated in March; Mar Shopping, which opened on October 26; and Designer Outlet Algarve, which opens its doors today (November 23). Under a single administrative entity, the managers of this new commercial hub promise one thing: to revolutionise the concept of shopping and leisure in the Algarve.
Herman Gewert
Mar Shopping, Centre Manager
In Portugal for little over a year, 62-year-old Herman Gewert from Falkenberg, Sweden, is the new general manager of Mar Shopping. “I believe in the Algarve. There is still so much to explore here, and I hope that this complex contributes towards the region becoming even more vital during the 12 months of the year. It is investments like this that will help overcome the seasonality problem. Around 3,000 jobs have been created here.”
Gewert didn’t know much about Portugal, other than the two trips he made to Lisbon and Porto. Still, that didn’t stop him from volunteering to run the new Mar Shopping. After just over a year, the Swede is already in love with the region. He lives in a small Algarvean village where he is invested in helping tackle seasonality.
“Mar Shopping has 110 stores with unique layouts and designs,” says Gewert, whose expectations are that the new shopping complex will attract “10 million visitors per year”. For that, he says that the final product on offer to visitors is “much more than just a commercial trade”: “We want to provide more than just the retail experience. We want to invest in culture by hosting events and become a ‘destination’, a tourist attraction,” says the director.
In regard to the impact that the complex will have on local trade, Gewert stresses that competition is positive: “Without it we don’t evolve. And above all, the big winners are the consumers, who have more offering at better prices. In my opinion, we will generate a new boost for business,” he believes. “I also hope that this opening will help other companies recognise the opportunity to invest and do business in the Algarve, thus creating more employment.”
Gewert began his career working with fashion brands until joining Ikea in 1984. Since then, he has lived in London, Amsterdam, Moscow, Copenhagen and Milan, before taking on his current role as general manager of Mar Shopping.
Abdelhak Ayadi
Ikea Loulé Store, Manager
With 25 years of international experience, 52-year-old Abdelhak Ayadi is responsible for operations at the Ikea store in Loulé. Colleagues call him Arak, an affectionate nickname he has brought with him since he began his career in the Swedish group.
According to the manager, the fact that the Ikea store is part of a shopping complex and under a single administration brings many advantages and countless possibilities of cooperation.
He gives us an example: “The shopping centre provides a free crèche on site. This way parents can do their shopping peacefully while their children play under supervision,” he explains. “In fact, we don’t want to be just a place to go shopping. We want to surprise and create expectations that go beyond consumption and which attract not only locals, but also foreigners. I believe that, in general, this project will change people’s lifestyle in the Algarve and create more stability for future generations.”
Arak was born in France and is one of nine children of Algerian emigrants. With a degree in Marketing and a Masters in Management and Administration, he moved to the Algarve in December last year where he now lives with his Portuguese fiancée. He began his career in Ikea in France, before moving to Sweden and Italy.
“I am loving the Algarve,” he admits. “There are absolutely breathtaking places here.” Of the Algarve people, he says they are focused, humble, discreet and hardworking. “I think it is linked to the culture.”
Ikea’s first six months in Loulé “greatly exceeded expectations”. The store recently launched a new catalogue for 2018, as well as an electric bicycle and scooter, a project led by Arak during his time at Ikea of Sweden, the company’s creative department, and in October it inaugurated a new, very successful section dedicated to pets, only available experimentally in Portugal at the Loulé store. By the end of the year, Ikea will also offer an e-commerce service, which will enable customers to shop online and book delivery at the desired address. In the Algarve, Ikea occupies around 24,000sqm, distributed across two floors, and is the Swedish brand’s fifth store in Portugal.
Miguel Guerreiro
Designer Outlet Algarve, Centre Manager
Miguel Guerreiro, originally from Tavira, has a successful career path. At the age of 41, he already has vast international experience, having worked with big global brands in the field of retail. He was chosen as the head of the new Designer Outlet Algarve, which promises to fill a gap in the south of Portugal. “We are investing in an international formula for success in which 50% will comprise fashion, followed by other categories such as sport, children’s clothing, beauty and home. And we will offer brands that don’t yet exist in the Algarve,” he adds.
International labels such as Mango, Tally Weijl, VictorVictoria and Textil S.A. are part of his résumé. In Qatar, in the Middle East, he was the director of Azadea, the master franchisee of Inditex, Virgin, Salsa and others.
“In the last year, I began my experience in the outlets branch with a collaboration with Las Rozas Village, near Madrid, until I was named general manager of the Designer Outlet Algarve, managed by ROS Retail Outlet Shopping,” he tells us. “I’m very happy to have a great team with me on which I can rely unconditionally. I should add that all are Algarvean and all have international experience, which enables us to understand the region even better while also having the necessary know-how in the retail field.”
Inspired by Algarvean architecture, with several regional elements, this shopping area recreates the concept of an open-air outlet village, which invites customers to do their shopping outside.
On November 23, during its first phase, Designer Outlet Algarve will inaugurate 65 stores and generate 450 full-time jobs. In the second phase, still without a scheduled date, the total number of shops should be in the region of 110, covering an overall area of 17,000sqm.
Designer Outlet Algarve will offer fashion and lifestyle brands at 30%-70% cheaper prices throughout the whole year. “The arrival of new international retailers will reinforce the importance of the Algarve region,” he concluded.
By SARA ALVES [email protected]
Photo: From left: Miguel Guerreiro, Abdelhak Ayadi and Herman Gewert
Photo by: BRUNO FILIPE PIRES/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
