AW Rostamani Group

AW Rostamani Group is a privately held family business headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The group traces its origins to the Al Rostamani brothers, Abdullah Hassan and Abdul Wahid, who began operating a business on the shore of Dubai Creek in the early 1950s. The enterprise formally established its first bookshop, Al Ahliya Library, in 1954. The shop imported books from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, reportedly routing them through Bahrain by Gulf Air, and became an early example of the brothers' trading and distribution activities in Dubai. The group broadened its commercial base with the establishment of a general trading company in 1957. Over time, AW Rostamani developed into a diversified business house rather than a single-sector brand. Its activities include automotive distribution and retail, real estate development and management, logistics and land transport, lifestyle retail, lighting solutions, travel-related activities and agritech. The group is based in Dubai and is described as employing more than 4,000 people. Automotive is one of its most visible divisions. Arabian Automobiles, established in 1968, serves as the exclusive distributor of Nissan, INFINITI and Renault in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Its operations include vehicle showrooms, service centres, spare-parts outlets and a certified pre-owned business. The automotive portfolio also includes AW Rostamani Trading, Prime Honda in India, Shift Car Rental, AUTOTRUST and related transport operations. Shift provides short- and long-term vehicle rental and leasing, while AUTOTRUST focuses on multi-brand vehicle servicing and certified pre-owned cars. AW Rostamani Trading distributes automotive-related products including lubricants, tyres, batteries, treatments and heat-control films. Real estate is managed through AWR Properties, which has developed and managed property assets since 1982. Its activities cover property development, leasing and facilities management for commercial, residential and retail assets. The property arm has been associated with projects including the 21st Century Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road and the group's head-office building in Deira, as well as the Mankhool development. The group's logistics business, KAR Freight, Forwarding & Transport, supports supply-chain and land-transport requirements for Arabian Automobiles and AW Rostamani Trading, primarily in the UAE and wider Gulf region. AW Rostamani Lifestyle, established in 2012, extended the group into fashion, jewellery, homeware and children's retail. Its portfolio has included international and regional concepts such as Georg Jensen, Graffiti, Vhernier, Angels, Apartment 51 and American Rag. AWR Lumina, incorporated in 1999, supplies lighting products for hospitality, retail and commercial developments and has operated across markets in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The group has continued to build its business through brand representation, distribution agreements, property development and service operations. Examples include its appointment as a ZNA distributor in Oman, its partnership with GE Lighting, its expansion of lifestyle retail concepts, the development of a multi-brand used-car operation and an agreement with Hilton for a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bur Dubai. AW Rostamani remains a family-controlled, privately held organization with a broad UAE-centred operating footprint.

AW Rostamani Group developed from a family enterprise established by brothers Abdullah Hassan and Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani in Dubai. The brothers began their commercial activities around 1951 on the shore of Dubai Creek, drawing on a family background connected with the local pearl trade. In 1954, they opened Al Ahliya Library, described as Dubai's first bookshop. The business imported books from Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, with shipments routed through Bahrain by Gulf Air. This early operation gave the family experience in sourcing, importing and distributing goods in a developing regional market. The business expanded in 1957 through the creation of a general trading company. Its later development was characterized by diversification into sectors that complemented the UAE's economic and urban growth. Automotive became a central activity: Arabian Automobiles was established in 1968 and became the authorized distributor of Nissan, INFINITI and Renault in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The division subsequently built an integrated network of showrooms, service centres, parts outlets and certified pre-owned operations. Other automotive-related companies added distribution, maintenance, rental, leasing and logistics capabilities. Prime Honda extended the group's dealer activities into India, while AW Rostamani Trading developed a portfolio of automotive consumables and accessories. The group entered real estate through AWR Properties, whose property portfolio dates from 1982. The real estate arm combines development, leasing and facilities management for commercial, residential and retail assets. Its projects and managed properties have included the 21st Century Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, the AW Rostamani head-office building in Deira and the Mankhool development. This business has supported the group's broader automotive operations by accommodating vehicle showrooms and other commercial facilities. AWR Lumina, incorporated in 1999, established a specialist lighting business serving large hospitality, retail and commercial developments. Its activities expanded beyond the UAE into markets across Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Logistics developed through KAR Freight, Forwarding & Transport, which manages land transportation and supply-chain operations for group businesses and works with international partners across the Middle East. The group's diversification continued in consumer-facing businesses. AW Rostamani Lifestyle began in 2012 and entered fashion, jewellery, homeware and children's apparel through a combination of international brand representation and regional retail concepts. Its portfolio has included Georg Jensen, Vhernier, Graffiti, Angels, Apartment 51 and American Rag. The division opened Georg Jensen's first UAE store in 2016 and later participated in the regional expansion of American Rag through a Dubai Mall location. During the 2010s, AW Rostamani added customer and mobility initiatives to its automotive platform. In 2011, Arabian Automobiles implemented the Nissan Road Miles loyalty programme, and AW Rostamani Trading received the ZNA distribution appointment for Oman. In 2015, AWR Lumina entered into a partnership with GE Lighting. Lifestyle retail expanded in 2016, and the group established a multi-brand used-car operation in 2017. In 2019, Hilton agreed with the group on development of a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bur Dubai. Today, AW Rostamani Group remains privately held and family controlled. It operates from Dubai across a range of sectors including automotive, real estate, logistics, retail, lighting, travel and agritech. The group's identity is based on long-term ownership, local market knowledge, international brand partnerships and a portfolio approach rather than dependence on a single product category.

1. 2019DoubleTree by Hilton development agreement

   Hilton agrees with AW Rostamani Group to develop a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bur Dubai.

   Source
2. 2017Multi-brand used-car business established

   The group adds a business focused on secondhand vehicles from multiple brands.

   Source
3. 2016Lifestyle retail expansion

   AW Rostamani Lifestyle expands its stores and launches or introduces Georg Jensen, Graffiti Fashion Zone and Apartment 51 concepts.

   Source
4. 2015GE Lighting partnership

   GE Lighting signs a partnership agreement with AW Rostamani Lumina.

   Source
5. 2012AW Rostamani Lifestyle begins operations

   The group creates a lifestyle division focused on fashion, jewellery, homeware and children's retail.

   Source
6. 2011Automotive loyalty and Oman distribution initiatives

   Arabian Automobiles introduces Nissan Road Miles, while AW Rostamani Trading is appointed ZNA distributor in Oman.

   Source
7. 1999AWR Lumina incorporated

   The group establishes its specialist lighting business.

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8. 1990Michel Ayat begins leading the automotive division

   Michel Ayat takes responsibility for the group's automotive division.

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9. 1982AWR Properties begins its property portfolio

   The group's real estate arm begins developing and managing property assets.

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10. 1968Arabian Automobiles established

    The automotive division's principal distribution company is established in Dubai.

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11. 1957General trading company established

    The family business broadens its commercial activities through a general trading company.

    Source
12. 1954Al Ahliya Library opens

    The brothers establish Al Ahliya Library, described as Dubai's first bookshop, importing books from the Levant and Egypt.

    Source
13. 1951The Al Rostamani brothers begin a family business in Dubai

    Abdullah Hassan and Abdul Wahid Al Rostamani begin commercial activities on the shore of Dubai Creek.

    Source

A diversified, family-owned UAE business group combining automotive distribution and mobility services with property, logistics, retail and specialist commercial operations.

• Arabian AutomobilesAutomotive distribution and retail1968

  Arabian Automobiles is the group's principal automotive business in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Established in 1968, it distributes Nissan, INFINITI and Renault vehicles and operates showrooms, service centres, spare-parts outlets and a certified pre-owned division. The business combines new-vehicle retail with after-sales support and used-car services.

• AWR PropertiesReal estate1982

  AWR Properties develops, leases and manages commercial, residential and retail real estate. Its portfolio includes the 21st Century Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road, the group's Deira head-office building and the Mankhool development. The division also manages facilities and property assets associated with the group's operating businesses.

• AW Rostamani TradingAutomotive aftermarket products1957

  AW Rostamani Trading distributes automotive consumables and related products in the UAE. Its portfolio has included TOTAL lubricants, CEAT and Sava tyres, Amaron batteries, Fortron automotive treatments and XCool heat-control films. The business also undertakes regional distribution activity, including its former or reported ZNA appointment in Oman.

• Shift Car RentalVehicle rental and leasing

  Shift Car Rental provides short- and long-term vehicle rental and leasing services. Its fleet has included Nissan, INFINITI and Renault models, linking the mobility business with the group's automotive distribution activities.

• AUTOTRUSTAutomotive services and used vehicles

  AUTOTRUST is a UAE multi-brand automotive service business offering vehicle repair, maintenance and certified pre-owned car sales. Its workshop network has included locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

• AW Rostamani LifestyleLifestyle retail2012

  AW Rostamani Lifestyle operates regional fashion, jewellery, homeware and children's retail concepts. Its reported portfolio has included Georg Jensen, Vhernier, Graffiti, Angels, Apartment 51 and American Rag. The division uses a mix of international brand agency, licensing and multi-brand retail models.

• AWR LuminaLighting products and solutions1999

  AWR Lumina supplies lighting products and project solutions for hospitality, retail and commercial developments. The business was incorporated in 1999 and has operated across the UAE, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

• KAR Freight, Forwarding & TransportLogistics and land transportation

  KAR Freight, Forwarding & Transport manages land transportation and supply-chain operations for Arabian Automobiles and AW Rostamani Trading. It operates principally in the UAE and GCC and maintains relationships with international partners across Middle Eastern markets.

• 2011Nissan Road Miles

  United Arab Emirates

  Arabian Automobiles introduced the Nissan Road Miles customer loyalty programme for its automotive customers.

  Outcome. The programme was described as the first customer loyalty programme implemented by an automotive company in the region.

  Source

• 2019Develop a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bur DubaiM&A

  The group pursued further diversification through property and hospitality development.

  What changed. Hilton signed an agreement with AW Rostamani Group to develop a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bur Dubai.

  Aftermath. The agreement connected the group's real estate platform with an international hospitality brand. The available source does not provide completion or operating details.

  Source
• 2015Partner with GE LightingStrategy

  AWR Lumina operated as the group's specialist lighting business for major commercial, hospitality and retail projects.

  What changed. AW Rostamani Lumina entered into a partnership agreement with GE Lighting.

  Aftermath. The partnership strengthened the group's lighting-sector activities, although no financial terms are reported in the available source.

  Source
• 2011Enter the Omani ZNA distribution marketStrategy

  AW Rostamani Trading sought to extend its automotive distribution activities beyond the UAE.

  What changed. The company was appointed sole distributor for ZNA vehicles and genuine ZNA parts in Oman.

  Aftermath. The appointment expanded the group's automotive footprint into Oman.

  Source

• 2019AW Rostamani Group agrees to develop a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel

  Hilton signed an agreement with AW Rostamani Group concerning development of a DoubleTree by Hilton property in Bur Dubai.

  M&A
  Source
• 2017AW Rostamani launches a multi-brand used-car operation

  The group established a business focused on multi-brand secondhand vehicles.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2016AW Rostamani Lifestyle expands its retail portfolio

  The lifestyle division expanded its stores and introduced concepts including Georg Jensen, Graffiti Fashion Zone and Apartment 51.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2015GE Lighting partners with AW Rostamani Lumina

  GE Lighting entered into a partnership agreement with AW Rostamani Lumina for lighting activities.

  M&A
  Source
• 2011Arabian Automobiles introduces Nissan Road Miles loyalty programme

  Arabian Automobiles implemented the Nissan Road Miles customer loyalty programme, described as a regional first for an automotive company.

  Campaign
  Source
• 2011AW Rostamani Trading becomes ZNA distributor in Oman

  AW Rostamani Trading was appointed sole distributor for ZNA vehicles and genuine ZNA parts in Oman.

  Other
  Source
• 1957AW Rostamani Group establishes general trading company

  The group expanded beyond its original book-trading roots with the establishment of a general trading company.

  Other
  Source

1. AW Rostamani Group