aht-associates is a retail consultancy company specialized in the field of Property and Store Development.

Managing Director Ali Haidari has over 25 years experience working with some of the prominent names in global retailing. Prior to founding aht associates, he held leadership positions as head of Property and Store Development , Store Design and Construction with various Global Brands, including GAP Inc, LBrands and Liz Claiborne Inc..

During his assignment with LBrands, Mr. Haidari organized a new department of International Store Development, consisting of more that 30 Designers, Architectural staff and Procurement, and lead the company’s expansion in international markets for Victoria's Secret, Beauty and Accessories, Bath and Body Works and La Senza, opening more that 200 stores in its initial launch, within Europe, Asia, Middle East and Eastern Europe.

 

While at Liz Claiborne International, based in Amsterdam, he established the company’s real estate strategy and approval process and formulated renewal and remodel strategy for company’s existing retail fleet. Additionally he managed the creation of a new store design format, test stores in Russia, and 30 new stores/remodels in one year. Within 2006 and 2008, the store development team under Mr. Haidari's leadership managed the development and opening of more than 200 Franchise stores throughout Europe.

At Gap Inc. working as Vice President, Global Store Development, from 1994 through 2003, Mr. Haidari was responsible for Store Development & roll out of more than 400 locations worldwide including UK, France and Canada, and opening of new markets in Japan, Germany, and the roll out of partnership stores in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

As the Director of Store Development at Banana Republic from 1986 through 1994, Mr. Haidari was responsible for development of more than 200 stores within 5 years including new stores, remodels and relocations. He managed a team of professionals, responsible for real estate feasibility studies, lease reviews, store design, architecture and construction.
 

Since its inception in 2009, aht associates have assisted many US and European brands and retailers in their efforts in expanding on both sides of the Atlantic and many exciting assignments with Developers and Brands in Europe, US and Asia.