Achrafieh – 15 November 2018: Officially jumpstarting the festive season, ABC held its Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at ABC Achrafieh. Surrounded by adorable mini squirrels, glamorous holiday decors, and small teddy bears designed by Reem Acra for Tamanna, the Christmas Tree stood in the enchanted Christmas forest amid the mall’s spacious ground floor.
The cheerful crowd enjoyed holiday carols and danced to Christmas jingles while waiting for ABC’s Christmas tree to be lit for the first time this season. As the countdown hit zero, the tree decked with dazzling lights brought the enchanted forest to life. But the magic didn’t end there. True to its yearly tradition, ABC aims at spreading holiday warmth and cheer all around by selling small teddy bears to support a big cause through its Small Bear Big Heart signature Christmas CSR initiative. Launched in 2010 as part of ABC’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, this heartfelt initiative lends a helping hand every year to a different NGO.
In 2018, ABC is joining hands with Tamanna, a non-profit organization that has been granting since 2005 the wishes of children with life threatening illnesses, to empower them to fight back, giving them hope, strength and joy in times of great stress and hardship. This year’s customized teddy bears are designed by internationally acclaimed designer Reem Acra and will be available during the Christmas season in all ABC flagships to raise funds for the campaign by spreading the season’s magical spirit.
On this occasion, Frank-Matthias Kuntermann CEO of ABC said: “Everybody knows that Christmas at ABC is much more than dazzling lights and glamorous decorations, as it aims at delivering a message of love and joy for the festive season. Each year, ABC stays true to its Christmas tradition by adding genuine holiday magic to the festivities of less fortunate communities around Lebanon. Our collaboration with different NGOs since 2010 through our signature initiative, Small Bear Big Heart, has made a world of difference in the lives of many throughout the years. “
“It is a great happiness for me to partner with the Tamanna Lebanon charity for the holiday season, on the ABC Small Bear Big Heart initiative. In dressing the bears, I looked into my personal archives and found the fabric of my bedroom curtains, the place that inspired my dreams of one day becoming a fashion designer. It is the spirit of imagination and hope that I wish to pass to the children of Lebanon, and to celebrate the joy of the holiday season,” said Reem Acra.
To add more magic to the most joyful time of the year, ABC will make a girl from Tamana’s wish come true by granting her a trip to Disneyland Paris, a place she always wanted to visit; making Christmas all the more special. Yet with all wishes deserving to be fulfilled, ABC set a tree decorated with Tamanna kids’ wishes, giving the visitors the opportunity to put a smile on a child’s face by helping them fulfill their dreams.
This season, join ABC’s family in all its flagships! Shop holiday specials and enjoy Christmas activities with your children and in-store events from your favorite brands. Then, stop by to visit our enchanted forest and don’t forget to choose your favorite teddy bear to help Tamanna make some more wishes come true!
Since 1936, ABC Group has been at the forefront of leisurely shopping in the country after having proven itself to be the prime player in the Retail Industry.
For over seventy-five years, ABC has been the number one destination for shoppers as an ultimate lifestyle trend setter. Apart from being the first group to introduce the mall concept to the Lebanese market, ABC’s unique fusion of retail and entertainment attracts a total of 11 million visitors per year. Such a blend has introduced a number of exciting customer centric experiences such as that of loyalty programs, sensational events and invigorating activities rendering ABC as the exemplary player in Lebanese “Retailtainment”
Today, ABC Group operates more than 57,000 square meters of Gross Leasable Area (GLA) including three flagship department stores in prime locations, Dbayeh, Achrafieh & Verdun–the latter being the region’s first open-air mall to meet international standards. All flagships reflect an expertise and a strong grasp of Retailtainment management that’s unmistakably and distinctively ABC’s.