ALDO opens its doors in TT

Bringing the franchise to Trinidad is well-known retailer, Omar Hadeed. “While on vacation two years ago with my wife (who is an avid ALDO customer) in England she insisted that we visit the store. It was without delay I got the idea that this brand will do well in TT,” Hadeed told Business Day.

Also present for the opening was ALDO Regional Brand Manager Ricardo Gil who assured, “with 12 stores within the Caribbean ALDO is excited to widen its markets here in TT.”

Hadeed, who has more than 30 retail stores under his management, including Converse and Skechers, believes this new brand will do well despite the current economic climate.

“People are still shopping despite what is going on in this country but we may not see it as they are doing so online,” he said. Hadeed noted, however with ALDO, as with Converse, customers can actually save 15% by purchasing these branded items from the local franchise stores as the prices are the same as the online prices, once converted to TT dollars, minus the shipping and duties fees. Asked about the profitability of this pricing model, Hadeed said, “A smaller margin is better than no margin.”

Business Day asked Hadeed why he chose to open the first ALDO outlet in San Fernando, and he boldly responded, “Why not?”

“The brand will speak for itself. Our retail locations in south Trinidad are doing very well, Skechers in C3 and Converse in Gulf City are doing quite well. The C3 Centre is new, its fresh and its attracting young, fashionable, trendy customers and businesses alike” Hadeed said.

He conceded that his company faces some challenges acquiring foreign exchange, but said there is an understanding with the owners of the brand. Labour, Hadeed said, and customer service are also sensitive issues. He noted that he received over 300 applications for employment in the ALDO store, which made the task difficult to choose 11 employees. He assured the successful candidates were trained in customer service and there would be an opportunity for retraining every six weeks.

Hadeed said plans to open ALDO outlets in other locations across the country depends on the sales from this initial location. ALDO caters to both men and women with shoes and accessories to match. Trinidad is currently running its spring collection and come September it will switch to its Fall line up to match the other locations.

Asked about the performance of Domino’s Pizza, another business he recently bought alongside business partner Daniel Fakoory, Hadeed said, “There is a 25% increase in sales in the last two months, so much so we have increased our delivery staff.” He noted that another of his businesses, Pita Pit, would be opening a new branch in Price Plaza next month.