Dubai: Al Ghurair City shopping mall in Dubai's Deira district is building an extension that will house 150 retail and food and beverage outlets and a five star hotel in a Dh2 billion expansion aiming to diversify the mall's offerings.
The Al Ghurair City expansion is to be finished by the end of the year; however, no final dates have been set for the operation of the hotel.
"We will have a more diverse offering compared to what we have now and because of our location and footfall we can afford to do so," said Joe Abi-Khalil, the mall's marketing manager.
According to Abi-Khalil, there are some international brands which are planning entries into Dubai.
These brands will be revealed at a later point, he said.
As one of the first shopping malls built in Dubai, Al Ghurair City continues to attract a steady flow of loyal customers, Abi-Khalil added.
Loyal customers
"We have customers who have been loyal shoppers at Al Ghurair City for the past 25 years and come from all over Dubai just to shop here," he said.
The shopping mall has long been considered a neighbourhood shopping destination, with 43 per cent of its footfall coming from pedestrians in the Al Rigga Road area. Its location in one of the most densely populated area of Dubai ensures a steady stream of shoppers.
"The sector average of shop vacancy is 15 per cent. Our mall is currently at 2.5 per cent and the shops are under renewal or change," said Abi-Khalil.
The mall also has a specialised section of traditional and local brands selling abayas, kandouras, textiles and Arabic perfumes, which attracts a large local footfall.
The new extension will aim to attract the younger population with a new selection of brands.
The complex also includes 343 apartments which continue to do well with occupancy rates of over 90 per cent.
