MAC Cosmetics, the New York based brand under the multinational beauty giant Estee Lauder, is set to open its first store in the capital under a franchise agreement.
The World’s most sought after store of premier beauty products has partnered with the local NHY Import & Export, involved in Import, export, retail, hospitality and duty free shops within Bole International airport.
The new signature franchise store is to be located in the Bole area, near Edna Mall and will have a soft opening on October 14 and a grand opening to be held on November 19.
“We are going to offer top notch and a wide variety of products along with the experience to our customers, Menbere Getahun, the Commercial & Business head of NHY said adding, “The Addis Ababa store will be per international standard and we will not compromise on quality nor service. Our aim is to surpass it. We are excited.”
The partnership was said to be a long time coming since MAC had been eyeing partnerships with a number of local actors. However, it felt that NHY had met its standards and felt it would represent the brand and provide the local middle class that had been relying on imported products from abroad and for some, substandard products bought locally.
To prepare for its launch, NHY will send recruited staff members to South Africa and New York and have them meet the MAC standard. The new shop, in addition to selling products, would also perform makeup services to clients.
While Ethiopia has been noted for attracting the attention of international multinationals, this is the first time an American brand had actually gone ahead and agreed to open a franchise store in the nation in years.
“We want to offer our local clients premium products and services and have them enjoy exceptional experience from the world that otherwise would not have been an option for them,” Nur Hussen Yassin, the owner of NHY told The Reporter. He also stated that “The opening of this franchise store will benefit not just the consumers who will have access to the products at a competitive price but also the makeup artists in the country who will have a chance to enhance their skill through professional trainings and promotional activities.
