INTERVIEW

Mr. Lilaram N. Kewlani, a highly respected businessman based in Dubai, is Chairman of the Giant Group of Companies.

Q. Can you tell us something about yourself?

A. I was born in Sann, in the province of Sindh, in 1934. At the age of 14, my family and I migrated to India. I joined T. Choithram & Sons, founded by my late father-in-law, Thakurdas C. Pagarani in 1952 and was posted overseas, to Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa. I began my career with the Choithram group selling general provisions in Freetown and graduated to the position of Joint Group Managing Director. I was responsible for both start-ups as well as overseeing group operations in India, Hong Kong, Japan, Liberia, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, UK and USA and spent 35 years with the group.

Q. When and how was the Giant Group established?

A. Shankar Trading Co., the flagship company of the Giant Group, came into being in 1985 as a small wholesale operation, trading in foodstuffs in Al Ras, Deira, serving the re-export markets in the Sub-Continent and Africa. The next few years saw diversification into retail, distribution and manufacturing businesses, trading in foodstuffs, apparel, footwear and novelty items under various companies, now collectively known as the Giant Group of companies.

Q. What are the various activities Giant Group is into presently? Can you tell us briefly about the Avenue brand?

A. The Group’s core business is Foodstuff, whether through Retail, Wholesale or Distribution. The Foodstuff Distribution division has mirrored the rapid growth of the UAE and, today, the Group is the largest importer and distributor of Fillipino foodstuffs in the UAE and also enjoys exclusive distribution of snack food brands such as Haldiram’s, Oriental Chips and Jack & Jill. In Retail, our Giant Supermarket brand has been established for more than 20 years across the UAE, while a more recent addition is the New Safestway brand supermarket in Dubai, acknowledged for carrying the most extensive range of groceries from the USA.

The Group ventured into the department store business in 2002 with the launch of the first Avenue Department Store opposite the Bur Juman Centre in Dubai. The brand has since expanded operations to Sharjah, Fujairah and Doha and in a relatively short space of time, the brand has established itself as a family shopping destination, synonymous with quality, value and customer service. The Group has plans to expand the brand across the GCC, with Saudi Arabia being seen to offer the greatest potential in the region.

Q. Can you tell us something about your Group's plan for the next few years.

A. Our focus, over the next few years, will be on strengthening our distribution business by expanding our product range and building on our customer service capabilities. Investment into new technology and a new purpose-built logistics facility will enable us to service our customers faster and more accurately. These capabilities have been at the heart of our business growth in the past and will continue to serve as drivers for future expansion. Secondly, the next few years will offer substantial opportunities for expansion of our retail businesses, namely the Avenue brand. These are very sensitive to the cost of real estate, which is becoming increasingly more viable as the availability of good retail space increases.

Q. What do you believe has been the key to Giant Group's success in the UAE.

A. The landscape for business in the UAE has changed drastically since we first commenced operations and the economy has also witnessed several undulations during this period. Diversification has ensured that the Group has not been adversely overexposed to the business cycle. Simultaneously, retaining a strong focus on our core business as well as a focus on the requirements of our customers, has given us a competitive edge in spite of stiff competition in our business.

Q. Do you think the effects of the global financial turmoil will impact the UAE significantly? How do you see business over the next few years in the UAE and specifically the retail business?

A. The UAE has benefitted significantly with the growth of the emerging economies after 2003. So much so, that Dubai became an iconic symbol for new wealth. As world economies, and in particular the emerging markets, contract, the UAE will be adversely impacted. In particular, as some of the excesses of recent years are reversed, the environment for business in the region will be very challenging. With respect to Retail, we witnessed significant increases in operational costs as the economy boomed. The main challenge ahead, will be the ability to align costs in line with prevailing business levels.

Q. As a long time resident of the UAE, what message would you like to convey to people wishing to do business in the UAE?

A. With the vision and benevolence of the rulers, the UAE has been a land of opportunity. There are many rags-to-riches stories that are a testament to this. It has survived various economic cycles and today, it is unparalleled in the region. For those wishing to do business here it is important to share the future vision of the leaders of the nation, to be flexible enough to adapt with changing times and above all, to be prepared to position businesses for the inevitable ups and downs of the business cycle.

Q. Would you like to tell us something about your family?

A. I have been married to my wife, Mora, for 58 years and have enjoyed four children and nine grandchildren. Nirmala Mulchandani, my eldest child, lives in London while Kamla Bhavnani, lives here in Dubai. My only son, Haresh, the youngest of my children, lives in Dubai and plays an integral part in the management and development of the Giant Group.