Ashley store opens in Jordan

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 16, 2012

Ashley President and CEO Todd Wanek, center, joins store officials including Abdul Ayyad, left, and Emad Barakat, holding ribbon at right, to officially open the Amman store.AMMAN, Jordan - A traditional Jordanian festival welcomed more than 5,000 customers to the grand opening of the first Ashley Furniture HomeStore in the Middle East here in Jordan's capital.
     The store has more than 40,000 square feet of showroom space spread over eight floors and is in what Ashley officials say is "an A-plus prime location" on one of the city's busiest streets.
     "The interior and exterior of the store are fabulous, both in function and in style, said Ashley President and CEO Todd Wanek, who took part in the grand opening ceremony. "Each floor is set up with a specific style category and it is well accessorized. Ashley Furniture is proud to furnish and serve what I believe is the best looking store in the Middle East."
     "The response leading up The multi-story Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Amman, Jordan, has 40,000 square feet of retail space.to this event has been tremendous," said Abdul Ayyad, the store's owner. "Ashley Furniture HomeStore is a brand name that people have come to trust. We look forward to exceeding our customers' expectations by offering a wide variety of home furnishings at exceptional values and providing the best customer service in the industry."
     This is the first of four Ashley Furniture HomeStores that Ayyad is scheduled to open in Jordan over the next three years and one of a number of licensed stores that will open throughout the Gulf region as part of the company's global expansion plan, according to Ashley.
     Officials said the company has seen a significant increase in the number of investors who are interested in leveraging the Ashley brand name and Ashley's supply chain by becoming owners of licensed stores.
     The Amman store features bedroom, dining room, stationary and motion upholstery, leather upholstery, occasional tables, entertainment centers, home office, youth bedroom, recliners, mattresses, lamps, accent pillows, throws, area rugs and accessories. The bedding area includes the fast-growing Ashley Sleep brand.