Dubai: The recent opening of hundreds of retail outlets at Mirdif City Centre, Dubai's newest mall, has been a manifestation of the positive outlook for Dubai's retail sector.
Alshaya, the retail business of the Alshaya Group, has opened shops for 29 retail brands including Debenhams, Mothercare, Topshop, Next, H&M, Starbucks and Boots as well as Office Depot, which is debuting in the UAE.
"Alshaya is focused on bringing innovative concepts and ideas to customers in the Middle East through our partnerships with leading international brands," said Mohammad Alshaya, Executive Chairman of M. H. Alshaya Co., in a press statement.
"Our investment in Mirdif City Centre symbolises that approach, bringing together 29 brands under one roof, including three new brands that we know will appeal greatly to Dubai's consumers," Alshaya said.
Collaboration
"Mirdif City Centre underlines Dubai's position as the pre-eminent shopping destination in the Middle East. We are delighted to be part of it and congratulate Majid Al Futtaim Group for its vision in developing this exciting new mall.
"We have worked closely together with them for many years and are extremely proud to continue that collaboration."
Alshaya, whose group owns 1,800 stores across the region, revealed that it has invested around Dh147 million ($40 million) in people, property, infrastructure and marketing, for the opening of the 29 retail outlets.
A total of 700 people were trained to manage the stores that occupy a total of 15,000 square metres in the mall.
Alshaya's store mix also includes three new brands that have chosen the Middle East for their first expansion out of North America: fashion retailer American Eagle, and home furnishing brands Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids.
Space planning
The successful launch of the Pottery Barn franchises also marks Alshaya's move into a new retail sector home furnishings expanding its existing offers across fashion and footwear, health and beauty, optics, pharmaceuticals, casual dining, and office supplies.
Pottery Barn occupies 2,800 square metres and also hosts a design studio where customers can discuss their furniture needs and plan their space with trained associates.
Pottery Barn Kids, on the other hand, offers unique and innovative products designed for children furnishing nurseries, bedrooms and play spaces.
