By Anand Holla
Name: Yasir Potteri
Nationality: Indian
Location: Al Dahroi Perfumes, in the lane opposite The Village, Souq Waqif
What do you sell?
We sell all kinds of branded perfumes. We stock only international perfumes that are usually made in France and Italy. All our perfumes are original, we don’t believe in fakes. We also sell crystal vials and bottles, and also bukhoor burners (bukhoor being a traditional Arab perfume made of woodchips soaked in fragrant oil). We specialise in the best of fragrances.
What are your shop’s specialties?
From Hugo Boss to CK, we stock the finest in fast-moving luxury perfumes. Chanel perfumes are our best-selling item.
Where do you source your goods from?
All our perfumes come from Dubai and we ensure that every bottle is original.
How do you try and set yourself apart from other shops?
We have the whole range of top perfumes, and we can ensure that they are suited for all kinds of budgets.
Do you face any kind of problems running this shop?
No problem at all. It’s just that since our shop is in the inner lane, it has taken time for people to notice it. Also, we are a very new shop. Soon after Eid, business was low not just with us but all shops in Souq as people seemed to have spent their salaries on Eid shopping. Now it’s picking up.
Who are your customers?
Mostly Indians, Arabs and Europeans. But as we are into wholesale as much as retail, many shops, including some in Souq Waqif buy from us. Some malls buy around 50 to 60 pieces from us, in a month or so.
If it wasn’t for this shop, what would you have been doing?
I am very happy running this business. I don’t want to think of anything else.
SATISFIED: Yasir Potteri standing in his shop. Pictures by the author
