25 new retailers invest in new stores at Festival Centre

Ranging from fashion, restaurants and jewellery, the new stores add more variety and excitement to Dubai's leading family retail destination and the heart of Dubai Festival City.

"Retailers keep signing new leases and opening stores at Festival Centre because they are confident of success. We acknowledge the market is hard this year; however forward thinking companies recognise the time-tested ingredients of success - location, access, variety and value."

said Philip Evans, Retail Leasing Director, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE).

"We have demonstrated clarity of vision since opening and we have delivered. Festival Centre is undoubtedly one of Dubai's favourite leisure and retail destinations; this is underscored by our outstanding growth over this year's DSF."

Mr Evans said that retailers demand assured opportunities during these challenging times and continual new business is testament to the strength of the retail proposition at Festival Centre. Dubai's outlook is bright in the long term; risk avoidance and strong revenues are the keys to investing in the short term. Given market difficulties, Festival Centre is the leading opportunity for retailers to invest their money, time, efforts and most importantly their people.

"Success in a tough market is not impossible, it's inspiring. We will continue to deliver for our retail clients and their guests, our track record is strong and we will not rest until we have continued to defy the market downturn,"

Philip added.

The Orchestra Café, Bateel, Tanjia Restaurant & Café, Ghraoui Chocolates, Zayoon will offer fine leisure dining and Arabic delicacies while Rasasi D'or, Shattaf Jewellers, Al Mandoos Jewellery, Palaces Jewellery and TH Jewels will add glitter to the Festival Centre sparkle. Also adding to the existing list of lifestyle brands would be early learning centre, Marina Exotic Home Interiors, Adams, Lamsa Arabia, La Marquise, Regional Trading, Navrang Exclusive, , Mansuk, Felopateer, Deco Gallery, Arabian Oud, Gallery Hamdan, Awesome, Zam Gems, Dianoor Prestige, Nishat Fashion and Boost.

Festival Centre's outstanding performance during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2009 leading to an increase in footfall of 67% year on year. The Centre hosted unique and thrilling events that attracted and retained Dubai's affluent Emirati and Expatriate consumers.

The success of The Chinese State Circus and the Street Fair at Festival Promenade has caused an extension for two more weeks. At the concluding ceremony for DSF 2009, Festival Centre was awarded 'The Best Shopping Mall Décor' award in the category of DSF 2009 Innovation Awards.

Additionally during 2008, Festival Centre was recognised with several industry accolades. It was named 'International Shopping Centre of the Year' at the Global Retail and Leisure International (RLI) Awards and also voted the 'Best Event Venue' and runner up for 'Best Shopping Mall in Dubai' in the Best in Dubai Awards 2008.