w w w . a r a b i a n o u d . c o . u k
435-437 Oxford St
London W1C 2PL
020 7491 333
www.arabianoud.co.uk
With over 32 years’ experience and over 650 stores Worldwide,
Arabian Oud is a prominent and trusted name in the sale of
fragrances, incense, oriental perfumes and oil perfumes.
ARABIAN OUD ARABIANARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD KUWAIT ARABIAN OUD QATAR ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD ARABIANARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD ARABIANARABIAN OUD SAUDI ARABIA ARABIAN OUD U.A.E ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIANARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD OMAN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD USA ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD MOROCCO ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD UK ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD LEBANON ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDOUD ARABIAN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD BAHRAIN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD ARABIAN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD KUALA LUMPUR ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD FRANCE ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD RUSSIA ARABIAN OUD EGYPT ARABIAN OUD JORDAN ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUDARABIAN OUD ARABIANARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD ARABIAN OUD
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INTRODUCTION
HERITAGE
THE ENVIRONMENT
MYSTICAL PROPERTIES
OUD TODAY
OUR FOUNDER
OUR PHILOSOPHY
OUR PRODUCTS
ACHIEVEMENTS
IN THE MEDIA
BESPOKE PERFUME
CUSTOMER EXCELLENCE
THE FUTURE
SHOP CONCEPTS
CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTIONThere are many myths and misconceptions
surrounding the name Arabian OUD.
There are legends that resonate along the
corridors of history and there are fables
handed down from generation to generation
but the reality is quite simple.
At its heart lies the enigmatic and talismanic oud, the extremely
rare resinous heartwood that forms the highly prized foundation of
Arabian Oud classic oil perfumes. It is the most expensive scented
wood known to man and its value transcends cultural and spiritual
boundaries.
It is a story of one man’s passion and one
man’s vision to bring to the world something
rare and beautiful. It is a story which
proves what can be achieved with drive,
imagination and a unique understanding of
nature and human character.
Today, Arabian Oud is proud to be the largest
Arabian fragrance house in the world with
a unique and unrivalled reputation for
specializing in only the finest quality oud,
incense and pure perfume.
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It all starts with the tree. Oud is the Arabic
term for the highly prized incense that is
cultivated from the Agarwood tree.
This tree is rare and elusive and only gives up
its coveted treasure to those with an affinity
to centuries old traditions and knowledge.
HERITAGE
The trees must be left to mature for hundreds
of years before the fragrant wood can be
extracted and even then no two trees can be
guaranteed to produce the same degrees of
excellence.
Indigenous to only a few remote regions in India,
Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Brunei, it is
the unique micro-climate, environment and
natural conditions that ultimately influence the
end product.
Above all, it is these subtle but vitally important
variations in each location which affects the
flavour, fragrance and quality.
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THE ENVIRONMENT We strongly believe that by maintaining truly
organic methods we are able to cultivate
and nurture our harvests amidst hugely
challenging and dangerous conditions.
Our oud-hunters practice unwritten rites
handed down from generation to generation
to capture their elusive treasure.
Not only must they be fearless but they
must understand the delicate balance
between nature and the perils of too much
consumption to meet the insatiable demand
that drives this important global market. At
Arabian Oud we protect nature and ensure
that the role of the tree is continued for
many years to come.
In 2012 up to 75,000 Agarwood trees
were planted to ensure a continued long
term future. This strategy ensures that
perceptions become clear and knowledge
is shared in the West and Far East thus
increasing demand and quality control.
“We use local knowledge and re-plant thousands of trees ever year to off-set
our environmental impact, as well as provide sustainable habitats for wildlife.”
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MYSTICAL PROPERTIES
The tree has two fragrance based offerings in solid and liquid
form. In solid form Oud takes its natural shape in individual pieces
of wood that seductively release their unmistakable scent once
gently heated under a flame. The trapped oil is subsequently
released once the outer layer of wood is naturally smouldered.
In its liquid form it is a precious oil with a deep woody evocative
aroma that releases slowly over time. The finest quality oud burns
slower and lasts longer.
This natural process is what gives oud its rich mystical properties.
Tales of enhanced mental clarity and spiritual enlightenment add
to its legendary status.
What shaped the desire for the scent of oud and what made
this rare natural phenomenon so popular across the centuries?
Once again it is the tree that reveals all.
Its aromatic residue is produced in response to frequent attacks
of a natural fungus or mould. The fragrant resin forms in the
trunk and infected roots. The increase in mass and density leads
to a marked changed in colouring. The wood of the Agarwood
tree is thus transformed from light beige to dark brown or black.
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Today, Arabian Oud is enjoying an unparalleled moment in both Western
and Middle Eastern societies. Its perfume is treasured by royalty, global
celebrities from the worlds of sport and entertainment and connoisseurs
of fine fragrance and scents.
Arabian Oud opened its first European flagship store on London’s Oxford
Street in August 2002. This spectacular store was unveiled to great critical
acclaim and today there are two floors purely dedicated to retail whilst
the lower level gallery is reserved for private VIP clients and bespoke
perfume appointments.
With a highly trained work force committed to providing the highest
levels of service, the company has successfully grown from its humble
beginnings to become a global player in the fragrance market with a
chain of over 740 stores worldwide, selling over 200 opulent and unique
fragrances exclusive to it clientele.
It is only Arabian Oud and its beloved founder, Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Al
Jasser who truly recognized the potential of this magical process by
making oud accessible to all.
Thanks to his dream it has now been elevated to a modern art form
with a heritage dating back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt and was
further refined by the empires of both Rome and Persia.
OUD TODAYArabian Oud now has more than 4,000 employees worldwide
covering 100 cities and 33 countries. The company is a true
phenomenon with a pledge to precision and uncompromised
quality.
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The phrase “humble beginnings” is often
used in modern vocabulary but rarely can
it be so appropriate as when applied to
the origins of Arabian Oud and the global
business that operates today.
The ambition and dedication of Sheikh
Abdul-Aziz Al Jasser is the driving force
behind what is now a multi-billion dollar
industry. He has led the way on a path of
discovery which began in 1982 and has since
established the prestige and reputation of
Arabian Oud.
His early years saw him train as a teacher
but his passion for the world of perfumery
and natural oils took him, quite literally, on
OUR FOUNDERa different journey. Sheikh Abdul-Aziz was
fascinated by the magic and alchemy of oud.
He could see the way people reacted to its
scent and perhaps most importantly, he
recognized the potential demand on a world
wide scale. His first small shop opened in
the old Alsal souk of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia
with support from family and friends. This
was just one of many brave decisions that
led to a unique insight into every aspect of
the production and marketing of oud. In
his quest for knowledge and perfection,
Sheikh Abdul-Aziz travelled to all corners
of the earth to hone his craft and to forge
lifelong relationships with the oud hunters
and growers.
These relationships remain in place today
and have formed the basis of sustainability
and planning which ensures the continued
success and quality control of the oud
market. Understanding the delicate
balance that exists and the dangers of over
cultivation which could threaten the survival
of communities is the key factor.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of Arabian Oud and the
vision of Sheik Abdul-Aziz as a pioneer,
highlights the importance of respecting
the different cultures and the all-important
natural processes that must be adhered to.
At the heart of the company that brought
Oud to the World, lies an understanding and
a desire for change. Social responsibility,
opportunities for the disabled, fair trade
and re-investment are on-going aspects that
underpin the business.
• Arabian Oud is first and only Arabian brand
to be named in the fragrance industry bible,
Michael Edwards ‘ Fragrances of The World.
This is the definitive database for fragrance
classification, perfumers, bottle designers
and brands and is widely regarded as a
mark of excellence.
• We are the only fragrance house to have
a flagship store at the heart of London’s
premier shopping streets on Oxford Street.
• Exciting new Arabian Oud boutique in the
successful Westfield Shopping Centre has
been unveiled.
ACHIEVEMENTS• The only Arabian perfumer to have a global
network of international boutiques including
Malaysia, France, Singapore, Morocco and
Dubai.
• We average 25,000 sales transactions per
day and produce 25 million perfume bottles
per year.
Arabian Oud was the first Arabian member
of the prestigious Fragrance Foundation in
both the United Kingdom and France.
• This non-profit making organization is
renowned as the benchmark for setting the
standards of excellence for the fragrance
industry. We continue to win accolades and
awards around the world as our scents gain
awareness and loyal fans.
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The uniqueness of our products is attained
by the commitment to minimise chemical
levels thus increasing concentrated levels
of natural perfumery. Endeavours continue
beyond the stage of perfume creation,
however.
Exceptional efforts are exerted during the
design stages of packaging. Distinctive and
artistically formed packages are created to
reach over-all products of visual appeal.
Although our sense of smell is emotional,
the fragrances we most enjoy usually
belong to just one or two fragrance families.
The Fragrance Wheel holds the key to our
fragrance likes and dislikes. It lets us see at
a glance the relationship between the 14
different families. At Arabian Oud we use the
Fragrance Wheel to map out the connections
to all the various scents we produce.
OUR PRODUCTSAt Arabian Oud we proudly admire our
Arabian Heritage and our one and only goal
is to represent it to the world in the best
way it should be.
For us we do that through our products;
every scent carries a piece of heritage,
culture and traditions of the Middle East in
general and the Arab World in particular.
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• Retailer of the Year 2014
• Fragrance of the Year 2013, 2014
• My Perfume of the Year 2013
• 5 international awards at FIFI Arabia Perfume 2012
• Voted number one brand in the Middle East
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IN THE MEDIA
Arabian Oud has attracted widespread critical
acclaim and plaudits from the influential beauty
and lifestyle media for its heritage and vast
selection of Arabian and international fragrances.
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:HIGH CONCENTRATION OF THE FRAGRANCE MARKETTOP 5 GROUP+39,5% GLOBAL FINE FRAGRANCE MARKET TURNOVER
FINE FRAGRANCE MARKETFragrance, Global, Company Share (Top 20 Compamies) by Value (5)
FRAG
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G%Share
L'OréalCotyP&GAvonLVMHE. LauberO BoticárioChanelNaturaPuig
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121314151617181920
8.58.47.77.57.45.54.54.44.23.9
1.51.41.31.10.90.80.80.80.7
G%Growth vs 2010
3.53.46.87.612.04.53.326.06.59.6
2.117.71.82.67.413.16.43.25.3
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Arabian Oud11 1.7 5.9Arabian Oud11 1.7 5.9
FEMININE FF MARKET DOMINATEDBY DIRECT SELLING GROUPS (NATURA, AVON)
HIGH CONCENTRATION OF THE SELECTIVE FEMININE FRAGRANCE MARKET:D
FEMININE FF TOTAL MARKET
FEMININE FF SELECTIVE MARKET
FRAG
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Arabian Oud12 1.2%
Arabian Oud10 1.9%
1
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The Arabian Oud collection extends to
thousands of luxurious natural fragrances,
20 of which are available exclusively in
London. The permutations are infinite and
no effort is spared to ensure the finished
article matches the brief.
With prestigious clientele on every
continent, Arabian Oud has created unique
blends for members of royal families in the
Middle East as well as celebrities from sport,
film, television and the arts.
All our customers who visit our stores
are treated with the same high level of
respect and care as befits our reputation for
excellence and perfection.
Luxury is a term that can be truly applied to
Arabian Oud. It is a luxury that is accessible
to all our customers and it is a special aspect
of our business that defines us and our
understanding of the needs and desires of
the discerning fragrance connoisseur.
BESPOKE PERFUME
At Arabian Oud our bespoke custom made
fragrances are created by our in-house team
of perfumers to capture an individual’s
personality and fragrance preferences.
As an artist paints a portrait or a Parisian
haute couturier crafts a one-off made to
measure ball gown so too our highly skilled
and sophisticated in-house team refine and
blend the finest ingredients to produce unique
and beautifully presented scents.
The entire experience from start to finish is
a voyage of discovery. The finished perfume
is encased in limited edition flacons and
wrapped in spectacular handmade boxes that
compliment the quality within.
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We are proud to be able to create bespoke
hand crafted scents for our illustrious clientele.
Heads of State, film stars and royalty have all
commissioned Arabian Oud to provide unique
and individual fragrances for everyday wear or
the ultimate in special occasions.
One example of this is the Crown Princess
Hamida of Brunei, who approached Arabian
Oud to design a new perfume and pure crystal
flacon to celebrate her marriage. A perfume
that not only was unique, but would also
capture this major event in the history of
Brunei.
Our now world-famous exclusive Princess
Hamida Blend celebrates our close ties with
her father, The Sultan and continues to be a
hugely popular scent created from the rare and
exquisite Taif Rose.
Top notes of the finest oud oil are perfectly
complimented by middle accords of Mandarin
and Ylang Ylang and enhanced by a rich base
of Taif Rose and Frankincense. A truly special
blend for a very special time.
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CUSTOMER EXCELLENCEAt Arabian Oud our sales and customer service is unrivalled.
Our sales teams are hand-picked for
their knowledge, attention to detail and
passion for excellence.
We constantly assess and challenge them
to maintain the highest levels of product
awareness and to ensure they are fully
aware of the needs of our 230,000 loyal
and regular customers.
Every member of staff receives
comprehensive training and an in-depth
understanding on the heritage of Arabian
Oud.
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THE FUTUREA controlled and strategic expansion
will see exciting, new stores spread the
message across the UK and Europe. We
are working closely with the world’s
leading retailers and department stores
to create exclusive fragrances and
partnerships. Iconic retailers such as
Saks 5th Avenue, Selfridges and Harvey
Nichols are all experiencing the magical
effects of Arabian Oud.
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SHOP CONCEPTS
Combined with many years’ experience of
the fragrance industry and a highly talented
team of interior designers we have come
up with retail design concepts that not only
inspire but create the perfect theme and
atmosphere that have made Arabian Oud
memorable throughout the world.
Our new flagship stores in the UK, Europe
and Middle East optimise the Arabian
History, Culture and Heritage and have
become prominent shopping outlets.
These state of the art stores have very
quickly become the preferred shopping
destinations for many of our customers
because they carry the widest selection of
fragrances, provide a high quality of service,
and offer the most luxurious atmosphere.
The Arabian Oud brand represents heritage and originality, an element of Middle Eastern culture and tradition.
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Featuring a new design concept, our new branches are poised to offer customers an ideal shopping experience, providing them with the company’s finest blends and products available in the fragrance market.
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