The Dubai Mall to open first Bloomingdale's

The leading American department store will be managed and operated by Al Tayer Insignia, a company of the UAE-based Al Tayer Group.

The 146,000 sq ft Bloomingdale's store will be a veritable showcase of the finest 'Bloomie's' products for the entire family.

Additionally, there will be a home store of about 54,000 sq ft.

Since 1872, Bloomingdale's has been pioneered the evolution of department stores by launching new designers, boutique stores and the now-famous designer shopping bag.

Bloomingdale's at The Dubai Mall will continue in the same tradition of innovative retailing making it "Like No Other Store in the World."

Bloomingdale's will join Galeries Lafayette, the prestigious French retailer, who will also open its first Middle East department store at The Dubai Mall.

Mr Jim Badour, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said:

"The opening of Bloomingdale's in The Dubai Mall marks the beginning of a new retail culture for the region, and positions Dubai as the ultimate retail destination in the region offering the very best of global brands. Bloomingdale's has a trusted reputation that spans nearly 150 years, and The Dubai Mall store will meet the needs of an increasingly discerning clientele in Dubai - including residents and visitors - who opt for the best in retail brands."

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall said: "Bloomingdale's tagline, 'Like No Other Store in the World,' is a perfect summation of the 'global lifestyle and shopping experience' that awaits customers at The Dubai Mall. Having shaped the evolution of the department store concept worldwide, Bloomingdale's will further push the boundaries of retailing for the region, with world-famous designers, innovative merchandising and world-class customer service. Bloomingdale's at The Dubai Mall will be a mainstay attraction for anyone visiting Dubai."

Mr Khalid Al Tayer, Chief Operating Officer, Al Tayer Group, said: "As a pioneer of luxury retail, Al Tayer Group adds another dimension to the retail landscape of the region by representing an iconic brand at a landmark destination. With the introduction of Bloomingdale's, Al Tayer Group adds to the Middle East consumer's appetite for the finest in international brand offerings."

"This will be our company's first overseas location, and we expect to learn a great deal about how our brands translate internationally," said Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's, Inc., parent company of Bloomingdale's.

"Dubai offers a unique opportunity for Bloomingdale's. It is a fast-growing, affluent marketplace that has emerged as an international destination for tourism, sporting events and business."

Bloomingdale's continues the legacy of its founders, brothers Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale.

Their first endeavour, an East Side Bazaar in New York in 1872, ushered a new era in specialty retailing and was considered to be the first true 'department store' of at the time.

Since then, the Bloomingdale's success story continued with a rapid expansion across the United States, famously marked by grand scale promotions and theatre-like cultural exhibits.

With annual sales of over $1.9bn and 36 stores across the United States, Bloomingdale's opening at The Dubai Mall brings America's latest lifestyle trends to the Middle East for the first time.

The Dubai Mall is one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, and is an integral part of the Dhs73bn ($20bn) Downtown Burj Dubai, Emaar's 500-acre flagship project. At its centre is Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building.

Downtown Burj Dubai already has a thriving neighbourhood of residential communities, commercial offices, luxury hotels and retail centres including the Arabesque mall, Souk Al Bahar.

The Dubai Mall will have over 1,200 stores, more than 160 food and beverage outlets and a host of world-class leisure attractions including the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre with a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel; the world's largest indoor Gold Souk; Fashion Avenue, a fashion precinct dedicated to haute couture; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; KidZania, an innovative children's 'edu-tainment' centre; SEGA Republic, an indoor theme park and a 22-screen megaplex.