Crate and Barrel Announces Overseas Expansion Agreement.

Leading Retailer Al Tayer Group to Franchise Brand in U.A.E.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- Home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel announced today that it has entered into a franchise agreement with noted franchise specialist Al Tayer Group LLC to open stores in the Middle East in 2010. Initial plans call for Crate and Barrel stores in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre. The stores will be managed and operated by Al Tayer Trends, Al Tayer Group's lifestyle retail company.

Barbara Turf, CEO of Crate and Barrel, said, "Dubai represents an excellent growth opportunity and launching pad to extend our brand internationally. It is a robust retail market, with many similarities to U.S. retail--state-of-the-art shopping malls, high-profile global brands and a diverse and sophisticated customer base. We are fortunate in our franchise partner, Al Tayer Group, who brings tremendous operational expertise and resources to our collaboration."

Khalid Al Tayer, COO, Al Tayer Group, said, "We are pleased to bring the Crate and Barrel franchise to the region and are confident that the brand's unique product mix, coupled with our regional retail expertise, will create a successful value proposition for customers."

About Crate and Barrel

Multi-channel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel was founded in Chicago in 1962 by retailing pioneers Gordon and Carole Segal. Working directly with European ateliers and factories to import their products, Crate and Barrel was among the first to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenwares designs affordable to American consumers. Today, Crate and Barrel is an industry leader, known for exclusive housewares and furniture designs, excellent value and superb customer service. In addition to a thriving direct marketing division, the company operates stores in most major North American markets, including Toronto and Calgary. The Crate and Barrel family of brands now includes its more modern off-shoot, CB2, and childrens' home furnishings retailer, The Land of Nod. Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany.

About Al Tayer Group

Al Tayer Group is a diversified regional business established in 1979 with its headquarters in Dubai, UAE. Since its inception, the Group has grown rapidly and currently operates in 12 countries in the Middle East and beyond, with over 7500 employees of 88 nationalities. It has built leading operations in multiple sectors, including retail, automotive, distribution, engineering & contracting and services.

Al Tayer Group represents over 600 global leading brands that include Ferrari, Ford, Land Rover and Jaguar, among others in the automotive sector, and brands like ABB and Danzas in services.

In retail, Al Tayer Group has firmly anchored its position as a leader in the Middle East through the representation of major brands such as Harvey Nichols, Armani, Gucci, Bvlgari, and Boucheron, to name a few. In addition, the Group has created and built a network of dedicated home-grown retail chains in fashion, jewelry & watches, perfumes & cosmetics, as well as interiors & furnishings. Complementing its position in luxury retail, the Group's portfolio also includes leading lifestyle brands such as Gap and Banana Republic.

About Al Tayer Trends

Al Tayer Trends is an Al Tayer Group company building new frontiers in lifestyle retail across the Middle East. It operates over 95 stores in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Among the brands comprising its portfolio are Areej, Missha, Gap, Banana Republic, Mamas & Papas, @home, Cosi, Caffe Nero and Galler. The company currently employs over 1000 people.