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Our Story
For almost a century, we’ve been leading innovations in eye care and eyewear while constantly challenging boundaries. From the opening of our first store in 1981, we’ve made the marriage of avant-garde style and state-of-the-art eye care our purpose in life, achieving milestones in the field that make us who we are today. At MAGRABi, eye care is both a science and an art. Since September 2024, the Group has merged with Rivoli Vision to advance the eyewear sector in the Middle East, and transform into a larger regional and global role.
1927 - When it all began
Our story starts in 1927, when distinguished ophthalmologist Dr. Amin Magrabi opened the first clinic in Cairo, Egypt, officially establishing the MAGRABi entity.
1955 - First Hospital
His son, Dr. Akef Magrabi, an ophthalmologist himself and a visionary surgeon, continued to invest in the field of eye care services and opened the first Sub-Specialist Hospital in the Middle East in 1955, paving the way for a series of groundbreaking milestones in ophthalmology.
1973 - Breakthrough In Ophthalmology
Since its inception, the hospital has performed a number of ophthalmological breakthroughs, including the first:
- Corneal transplant surgery in the Middle East.
- Cataract surgery by ultrasound.
- Vision correction by radial keratotomy in the Middle East
- Laser refractive surgery in the Middle East.
- Robotic-assisted laser cataract surgery in the region.
- Intra-operational imaging.
1981 - First Store
In 1981, the first MAGRABi optical store opened inside a hospital. Because of the store’s success, and through his innovative thinking, Dr. Akef branched out into MAGRABi Retail.
1987 - Store Concept 1.0
In 1987, a standalone store was opened, officially establishing MAGRABi Retail Group as its own separate entity from the hospitals and expanding it into a chain of eyewear retail stores. As chairman of MAGRABi Retail and MAGRABi Group, Dr. Akef brought the MAGRABi name to international prominence across the MENA region.
In 1998, the MAGRABi stores multiplied and expanded across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and later in 2003, the UAE; it was there that the stores’ flat concept was awarded “Best Store Design”, earning the retail group the market leader position in the country.
In 2017, after opening in multiple locations across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the stores underwent their first major rebranding, becoming more customer-centric and fashion-focused.
In 1998, the MAGRABi stores multiplied and expanded across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and later in 2003, the UAE; it was there that the stores’ flat concept was awarded “Best Store Design”, earning the retail group the market leader position in the country.
In 2017, after opening in multiple locations across Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the stores underwent their first major rebranding, becoming more customer-centric and fashion-focused.
2020 - Ecomm Launch
After amassing great success and establishing itself as one of the leading eyewear retailers in the region, MAGRABi Retail Group launched its fully integrated e-commerce platform in 2020. Designed to be a luxury and style haven, the online store provides a sophisticated and comprehensive experience and invites customers to seamlessly explore, discover, and live the full MAGRABi experience online.
2021 - Store Concept 2.0
In 2021, the MAGRABi stores across all locations and countries underwent another round of upgrades. The goal was to push customer centricity further and upgrade the stores’ positioning to a premium level.
2022 - Store Concept 3.0
A year later, the concept was improved upon and rolled out with further elevated executions. This step was taken to parallel the strategic evolution the Group was implementing towards a luxury positioning.
The first intra-operational imaging is also performed for the first time the same year.
The first intra-operational imaging is also performed for the first time the same year.
2023 - Signature Concept
2023 saw the stores rebranded once again to embody the luxury lifestyle, becoming more immersive and personalized. The Group scouted out landmark locations and imbued them with an elevated look and feel, turning them into flagship stores that act as retail sanctuaries for the customers. They took the experience further by introducing the Private Viewing Lounge in select locations, making it a unique luxury in-store experience that offers high-end exquisite and rare eyewear to the discerning connoisseur.
2024 - Today
In September 2024, MAGRABi Retail Group entered a historic partnership with Rivoli Group, the leading lifestyle retailer in the Lower Gulf. This merger is set to revolutionize the regional eyewear market, enhancing customer and stakeholder experiences and benefiting the industry as a whole.
The new “MAGRABi-Rivoli Enterprise” has set a new benchmark for service excellence and quality across the Middle East. A shared commitment to continuous investment in innovation and a multi-channel environment will seamlessly integrate specialty stores and digital channels, providing more sophisticated services in the luxury, premium, and lifestyle markets, with over 290 stores across multiple countries.
