The One (company)

THE One Total Home Experience
Company typePrivate
GenreRetail
Founded1996; 28 years ago (1996)
FoundersThomas Lundgren
Headquarters
Area served
Middle East
Key people
Thomas Lundgren (CEO)
ProductsFurniture
Accessories
Homeware
Tableware
Music
ServicesHome Styling
Free Delivery and Assembly
Interior Designer Programme
Number of employees
500
Websitewww.theone.com

The One Total Home Experience, stylised as THE One, is a furniture retail company founded by Swedish entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas Lundgren.

History

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The One store opened in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 1996. In an interview with Arabian Business magazine, Lundgren says he was inspired by a dream he had in 1993, in which an angel came to him with a mission to save the world from IKEA.[1]

In 2006, The One celebrated its 10th anniversary by being the sole sponsor of Robbie Williams' Dubai concert, while also decorating Robbie's backstage rooms at the Nad Al Sheba venue.[2][3]

In April 2007, The One was named one of the GCC's 50 Most Admired Companies by Arabian Business magazine.[4]

In 2024, The One launched a new concept store in Dubai Hills Mall focused on the company's home furniture collections.[5]

Concept

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According to CEO, Thomas Lundgren, The One's creative concept is to be magical and meaningful and "mass market, but to be prestigious with affordable prices".[6] Lundgren claims to sell feelings rather than commodities and calls The One stores "theatres", where seasonal home fashion shows are staged.[7][8] Each "theatre" set up by a team of decorators. The larger stores are furniture-driven with accessories complementing it and the smaller stores, or "Boutique Theatres", are accessory-driven with furniture incorporated to enhance the accessories.[9]

Many stores include in-store restaurants.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "The Crazy One". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  2. ^ 7Days: Get tickets tomorrow
  3. ^ 7Days: 2500 More Robbie Tickets
  4. ^ Arabian Business.com: Revealed: Gulf's most admired companies
  5. ^ "Home Decor: THE One opens its latest theatre at Dubai Hills Mall". Gulf News. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Business 24 Financial, Cryptocurrency and Investment News". www.business24-7.ae. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
  7. ^ Arabian Business.com: Funky Business
  8. ^ The National.com: 'I wanted to sell feelings'
  9. ^ The National.com: Where home is a feeling
  10. ^ The National.com: One up-market organic spread in Dubai