Ramesh Tainwala, the president for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at Samsonite, says their 82cm suitcases are a hit in the region. Razan Alzayani / The National
Ramesh Tainwala, the president for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at Samsonite, says their 82cm suitcases are a hit in the region. Razan Alzayani / The National

Samsonite finds big too small for UAE travellers



In a country renowned for building the best and the biggest it should perhaps come as no surprise residents also like their luggage large and luxurious.

But it turns out people in the UAE like their suitcases to be so big Samsonite has decided to phase out cases considered to be large everywhere else in favour of "outsize" luggage.

Samsonite's standard large size, 64cm to 74cm suitcases, which people typically take on a two-week holiday, sit in the brand's Middle East stores and do not move. But 82cm ones, which sell only in the Middle East and Russia, virtually fly off the shelves.

"It's really large sized. You can even put your mother-in-law in it," said Ramesh Tainwala, the president of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region for Samsonite.

The brand is now also considering whether to make the logo on luggage sold here larger or more visible after a request from stores in the region.

"Generally, our logos are tone on tone," says Mr Tainwala.

"There's a black background and black logo, so it is very subtle … whereas here people would like it to make it contrast, like a black background and maybe white letters or gold letters so you can clearly see you are carrying Samsonite."

The world's largest luggage company sells more of its higher-end products here proportionally and is hoping the region's love of luxury means it will more easily embrace its latest brand, Hartmann.

The luxury luggage company only operates stores in the United States at the moment but Samsonite aims to use its extensive network to open shops in the Middle East next year.

Hartmann is a favourite of American socialites, celebrities and presidents - every US leader from Roosevelt up to George W Bush, with the exception of Bill Clinton, who used Samsonite, and Barack Obama, who does not favour any particular brand, used the luggage.

"There is a database [of customers] that was maintained by Hartmann, so I'm sure there will be many more [famous] people who build on the heritage and story," said Mr Tainwala.

UAE'S YOUNG GUNS

1 Esha Oza, age 26, 79 matches

2 Theertha Satish, age 20, 66 matches

3 Khushi Sharma, age 21, 65 matches

4 Kavisha Kumari, age 21, 79 matches

5 Heena Hotchandani, age 23, 16 matches

6 Rinitha Rajith, age 18, 34 matches

7 Samaira Dharnidharka, age 17, 53 matches

8 Vaishnave Mahesh, age 17, 68 matches

9 Lavanya Keny, age 17, 33 matches

10 Siya Gokhale, age 18, 33 matches

11 Indhuja Nandakumar, age 18, 46 matches

A QUIET PLACE

Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Rating: 4/5

The biog

Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.

Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.

Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.

Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Favourite food: Dim sum

Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

Stage: Series A

Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors

COMPANY PROFILE

Company: Eco Way
Started: December 2023
Founder: Ivan Kroshnyi
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Electric vehicles
Investors: Bootstrapped with undisclosed funding. Looking to raise funds from outside