Where East meets Westmeets West

TYateem Centre, Its Illustrious History

Take the Big Leap with ‘Young Entrepreneur’ Shops

Spot the Difference

Love, Love, Looove Shopping ....Fashion, Jewellery, Gadgets, Souvenirs and More!

Specialty Shops

Up, Down and All Around - Abdulghaffar Ali Murbati Spins the Wheels of Success

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Yateem Centre02

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU ...

Contact Yateem Centre Management Offi ce

(+973) 17215615

12

Take the Big Leap with ‘Young Entrepreneur’ Shops

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU ...SPECIAL

DEAL!Look for the

circled special

deals available

with this

magazine.

he Yateem Centre, is the oldest mall in Bahrain, and it celebrates

its 30th birthday next year. Once inside, the Centre unfolds around you. Loosely cylindrical in shape, it is a cavern of marble and a palace of commerce. The shops are unique and offer a range of products that you’re unlikely to fi nd in the larger malls.

Gold and jewellery play an important part here, dazzling visitors with their intricate designs. In total there are more than a dozen jewel and watch outlets, dealing in a full range of classic and modern jewellery

pieces to bargain watches and costume jewellery. Bringing things right up-to-date, there are a number of electronics shops, selling both specialist and mainstream items; and a

number of fashion stores that deal in the latest fashions.

The Yateem Centre was Bahrain’s fi rst fully air conditioned retail space and was designed so that people could shop in comfort all year

round. Whilst resolutely not a souq it retains some of the best of their qualities. There is camaraderie between store keepers not often seen in malls. They all know each

other and will watch out for each other’s stores when essential errands must be run. The store

owners love to talk and will be quick to offer hot sweet tea and a stool for you to sit on. The Yateem Centre feels like how shopping ought to feel ò

T“There is camaraderie between store keepers not often seen in malls. They all know each other, will watch out for each other’s stores when essential errands must be run.”

Yateem Centre 03

Just down the narrow winding road from Bab Al Bahrain, the original - or thereabouts - gate into old Bahrain, and a short walk in the other direction from Bahrain’s old and new souqs - the latter undergoing massive - and impressive - regeneration; the former a dusty, sun soaked fantasia of sights and sounds - another piece of Bahrain’s history awaits the inquisitive tourist looking to better understand this tiny island kingdom.

HISTORY

Contact Yateem Centre Management Offi ce

(+973) 17215615

SPECIAL

DEAL!

or qualified candidates, it’s now possible to rent a shop within the Centre at half price for the first year, with

the opportunity to terminate the lease on only one month’s notice at any time.

Yateem Centre Manager, Andrew Petty said: “As Bahrain’s oldest mall, we have seen the launch of many successful businesses over the years. We are keen to encourage this spirit of innovation and entrepreneurialism. By offering shops at substantially discounted rents and with low risk to the new shop owner, we believe that we are giving the opportunity for new talent to test their ideas and concepts

To encourage the establishment of new and innovative shops, the Yateem Centre is offering young Bahraini entrepreneurs an exciting and new incentive scheme.

in an established commercial setting. We look forward to welcoming fresh and different shops into the Yateem Centre, run by Bahrain’s young entrepreneurs and traders of the future. This is a great opportunity for people with an interesting idea to test and put it

into practice, and it also allows us to showcase the best and most original ideas in Bahraini shopping.”

Shops are available at rents starting from as low as BD100 per month, plus 15 per cent service charge ò

“Shops are available at rents starting from as low as BD100 per month, plus 15 per cent service charge.”

YATEEM CENTRE LAUNCHES ‘YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR’

SHOPS

F

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Contact Yateem Centre Management Office. Tel. +973 17215615

About the Yateem CentreThe Yateem Centre provides two hours free parking for shoppers in the Centre, which is a major incentive in downtown Manama. The Centre features a number of shops who have been there since the original opening, as well as a range of more recent arrivals. With more than 90 individual shops altogether, this is an important part of any visit to the Manama souq. For many Bahrainis, this is the original mall, much visited and loved with no other competition. For many shoppers it’s the place to find ‘that item’ that cannot be found anywhere else. The hungry shopper can rest and revive at the first floor food court and enjoy food from either Penny’s or the new Saffron Souk, or on the ground floor at Costa Coffee. In addition, Jasmi’s are fitting out and will open soon.

SPO

T TH

E DI

FFER

ENCE

Spot the seven (7) differences in the second picture. Send your answers before 15th July to yateem@batelco.com.bh with ‘Competition’ in the subject. Three (3) lucky winners will win BD25 Gift Vouchers.

COMPETITION

Yateem Centre 05

Enter the Yateem Centre and you

won’t fi nd enormous, multi-fronted

retail leviathans here.

he Yateem Centre has retained its traditional Arabic charm, and although it may be the oldest mall in Bahrain

it has successfully managed to merge old Arabia with the new and

sells everything in between, but all set within an extremely friendly

environment. It’s like an Aladdin’s

cave of individual stores selling everything from worry beads

through to airline tickets. Souvenir Stores

06 Yateem Centre

SHOPPING

TSouvenir Souvenir Souvenir

StoresStoresIf you’re looking for something traditional to take home then you will not be disappointed as there are a number of stores offering a vast range of trinkets that you would associate with the Middle East. You will not leave empty handed.

30% Zary:

on Jellabiyahs (offer only on net designs, popularly known as ‘toor thobe’

off

There is a vast range of fashion stores for men, women and children, ranging from jellabiyahs through to high street brands but at very competitive prices. You can also fi nd original brands through to ‘similar’ looking brands ... but you would have to be an expert to tell the difference.

There is a vast range of fashion stores for men, women and children, ranging from jellabiyahs through to high street brands but at very competitive prices. You can also fi nd original brands through to ‘similar’ looking brands ... but you would have to be an expert to tell the difference. have to be an expert to tell the difference.

Fashion

Yateem Centre 07

BD30

Faqihi Bros:Mixed branded Italian Suits

each.

BD60Faqihi Bros:

Carven priced @

only

FashionFashionFashion

BD30BD30

Faqihi Bros:Mixed branded Italian Suits

each.

BD60BD60Faqihi Bros:

Carven pricedFaqihi Bros:

Carven pricedFaqihi Bros:

Yateem Centre08

BeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyIf you’re looking for anything from a tutu through to Karaja cosmetics and lingerie, Moons Topshop is

the place to visit. Products range from nail enamel to lip gloss, eye shadow to foundation and skincare.

BeautyBeautyBeautyBeautyIf you’re looking for anything from a tutu through to Karaja cosmetics and lingerie, Moons Topshop is

the place to visit. Products range from nail enamel to lip gloss, eye shadow to foundation and skincare.

foundation and skincare.

10%Moons

Topshop:

Offering a

discount on all

KARAJA

cosmetics.

10%Candy Country:

Offering a

discount on all

KARAJA

cosmetics.

Accessories

Yateem Centre 09

Optician Yateem Optician makes sure that all attention is focused on your eyes! Fantastic looking specs and stylish frames make sure you always look smart and sophisticated but most of all you look damn fi ne! Yateem Optician has a range of high brands such as Police, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci, Dior and Emporio Armani and often at discounted prices.

BD16

Bedaya Boutique:All partywear

priced at

only

10 Yateem Centre

Jewellery ...

10 Yateem Centre

Who Let the Cat Out of the Bag???The Yateem Centre is an Aladdin’s cave when it comes to genuine designer items but at second hand prices. So you really want that diamond studded Chanel watch or the Chopard watch but can’t afford it? Think again! Several of the jewellers restore and specialise in these brands plus more including stunning jewellery.Then there is the more affordable ...

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The Middle East is famous for its gold and semi precious stones and you won’t be disappointed at the Yateem Centre. So if you’re looking for something truly special and ‘Bahraini’, you will fi nd it here. Many of the jewellers specialise in diamonds, gold and semi precious stones.

SportsSportsSports

ElectronicsThere is actually very little that you can’t get at the Yateem Centre in terms of electronics, mobiles and accessories.

Electronics

Awal StoreWallets, suitcases, briefcases, laptop bags, bum bags or (fanny packs for the Americans) leather accessories - basically it’s the place where you can go and get all your travelling gear. A must for back-packers, business people or just travellers. Brands include Carlton and Ambest.

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“SUR PRICE’’Everyday

offer exclusively at

Yateem Centre.

JVC, PIONEER, OLYMPUS,

CASIO, NIKAI, GODREJ, IFB,

G-TEC, ORION, SUNSTECH

are the brands Gajria

Electronics carry.

Electronics

“SUR PRICE’’

70%Gajria Electronics:Upto

in Electronics & Household Appliances.

off24 June to 8 July 2010

12 Yateem Centre

SPECIALTY SHOPS

A12 Yateem Centre

Ashbealia BookstoreATTENTION - all ye who complain about limited libraries in Bahrain. This fabulous bookstore may be your answer as it’s a cross between newly released editions and second-hand books and quite simply a surprise fi nd.

Shoe Shine Not only can they repair and stretch just about anything which is leather, they can also design handbags and belts.

Travel Agencies Air Arabia, Bahrain Air, travel agencies, all under one roof.

Penny’s Healthy FoodHealthy subs, paninis, salads, freshly made soups, sandwiches, pastas, smoothies, juices and more - they have it all! They also offer local delivery!

Immediate Printing The name says it all really. From business cards through to wedding cards, they can be printed while you’re looking around the mall.

SPECIALTY SHOPSSPECIALTY SHOPSSPECIALTY SHOPS

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t the age of 15, Abdulghaffar Ali Almurbati opened his fi rst garment business on Sheikh Abdulla Road on 1st April 1960 with an initial capital

of BD800. The business grew steadily and by the 1980s, he was the fi rst and only trader in the fashion and garment industry to have 22 branches set up, including fi ve shops for infant and childrenswear. Eventually, he refocused his business, specialising in the core areas that Abdulghaffar Trading is now known for.

His story is remarkable, something that

could be taken out of a story book. “My grandfather was a good businessman. At the family house in Muharraq he had about four to fi ve shops right there. He had a shipping and consignment business for tobacco, clothes and household items and sold it both wholesale and retail. So I grew up watching and learning from my grandfather and from then on, I only wanted to be a businessman.”

In addition to his older forebear, his father also instilled a very strong work ethic in him.

Aged just nine, Abdulghaffar’s father sent him to work for a family friend. The friend initially refused saying they couldn’t offer him a job and

In business, says Abdulghaffar Ali Almurbati, people, quality and excellent service are top priority; throughout his 50 years in the retail industry, he has striven to deliver all three.

Abdulghaffar Ali Almurbati

A

SPINNING THE WHEELS OF SUCCESS

Yateem Centre 13

FACE TO FACE

besides, the child was simply too young to work. But his father persisted, and offered to pay the friend ten rupees every month so he could work for three months, doing almost anything and everything.

He recalls, “After three months, my dad’s friend said there was no need to pay the ten rupees because I was very active and helpful and very good at doing my job. I ended up working for that company for many years until I grew up. I started with a 20 rupee salary, which they increased to 120 rupees, and then to 200 rupees. At my second job, I was offered 700 rupees a month and stayed with that company for five years, until I decided to leave at the age of 15. At that point, they were offering to pay me 1,500 rupees a month just so I wouldn’t leave.”

For this trader of 50 years, the most important thing for his business is to never lose the quality of the products, and

to maintain a pricing scheme that is mid-range - never going too low or too expensive. “We sell value for money, but more importantly, we sell quality - only the best will do. We never sell anything in between,” Abdulghaffar explains.

As with any business, there are high and low moments. How does he cope when the going gets tough? “Most people panic

when things slow down - but this is normal in business. It all depends on how you tackle it because every problem has a solution. If you can’t find a solution, then the problem is with you!

“For me the best solution to any problem is when you try to sit in the opposite chair, where you put yourself in other people’s shoes. Only then will

“Most people panic when things slow down - but this is normal in business. It all depends on how you tackle it because every problem has a solution.”

you get a better understanding of things and come up with a solution that is fair for everyone involved. Being just and fair in all things is very important for me.”

So what does he think of today’s young entrepreneurs? “I think they are very impatient. They want to get rich very quickly. They want to be millionaires overnight. If you are an honest businessman, you

have to realise that there’s always some scale to things before you reach a certain level of success. You have to work really hard.”

What’s the secret to his success and longevity? “There’s no secret. I believe that you have to take care of your people. This is paramount. Most of my staff have been with me for more than a decade.” Three employees stand out, Chandran who has been with the company for 21 years, Nezar - 26 years, and Salim for a solid 32 years.

“I like my people - they’re

Abdulghaffar Ali Almurbati during his earlier years in business

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my team. They do their part and I do mine - we bring ideas together; and very rarely do I use the veto hammer,” he adds. His last point referring to his refusal to veto a ‘Free Shopping’ extravaganza that he offered to customers on the occasion of the business’ 50-year anniversary. “It’s something that was a repeat of what I did when the company celebrated 30 years in business, where for a month one day every week you get to shop for free!” Abdulghaffar explains.

At present, Abdulghaffar Trading Company maintains four outlets: Rufaida, named after one of his daughters, is an exclusive menswear shop which has been open for 25 years; Seven Stars (because he has seven daughters), is 20 years old and is a specialised shoe shop; whilst the oldest branch - the Fashion Centre in Bab al Bahrain, Manama, has sold cosmetics, perfume and lingerie for 47 years. The youngest of them all at four years is Tres Chic at Al A’ali Shopping Mall, an exclusive ladies shop which sells cosmetics, perfumes, lingerie and nightwear.

What’s his advice to those who wish to start their own business? “If you love something, you will create it and you can be innovative with it.” ò

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FREE PARKING FOR SHOPPERS

*2 Hours Free with minimum BD2/- receipt