MBI's Deerfields Town Square signs MoU with Carrefour

According to the 20-year lease deal, the Carrefour hypermarket will span 10,000 sq metre area at the Deerfields Town Square project. The retail giant has also assured it will not open another outlet within a five km radius of the mixed use development during the lease period.

Banu Tas, General Manager of Deerfields Town Square, said:

"We are delighted to enter into this alliance with Carrefour to lease our first anchor outlet within the retail component of the project. Carrefour is a strong business partner and a renowned brand. We believe the deal will result in extraordinary commercial synergy, benefiting residents of the area near our development in Abu Dhabi."

Abu Dhabi's retail spending is forecast to reach Dhs7.19bn by 2009, according to a recent report by Retail International. At the same time, per capital gross leasable area (GLA) is expected to shoot up to 5.35 sq feet in Abu Dhabi, while the UAE's per capita GLA is expected to reach 4.38 sq feet, ranking the country third highest among the GCC countries.

"The Carrefour agreement validates Abu Dhabi's enormous retail potential as the emirate's economy is set to remain on a sustained growth trajectory in the long term. In addition, the deal bears testimony to the appeal of Deerfields Town Square project located at Al Bahia city in Abu Dhabi, especially its retail and entertainment components across a 2.6 million sq feet area," she added.

Scheduled for completion in 2010, Deerfields Town Square will primarily comprise over 200 retailers from varied segments. Globally renowned Colliers International is the retail consultant for the development that will primarily boast over 200 retailers from medium to upscale brands, anchor shops, retail chains, stand-alone retail carts, food courts, casual and fine dining restaurants and coffee shops, amounting to almost 80% of the development.

Encompassing all dimensions of a world-class destination, the Deerfields Town Square will also comprise a one-of-its-kind bird conservatory.