EMAAR unveils retail opportunities at 9th Annual Shopping Centre Convention exhibition

The 9th Annual Shopping Centre Convention is jointly organised by The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres and International Council of Shopping Centres and aims to create business opportunities for developers, shopping centre owners, retailers, investors and service providers for the shopping centre industry.

Emphasising the wide selection of retail opportunities at EMAAR developments, Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Executive Director, Retail, EMAAR said: "This is a unique opportunity for EMAAR to network with local and international retail industry players. We look forward to showcasing retail opportunities existing within the EMAAR family of communities, including the Burj Dubai, Dubai Marina, Arabian Ranches and golfing communities."

The innovative EMAAR stand will display a rotating panel of day and night images of the Burj Dubai, destined to include the world's tallest building.

Being a mixed-use development, the Burj Dubai will offer numerous retail opportunities within the tower, its hotel, the shopping mall, which will be the biggest mall in the world, and Old Town. The sales centre is already under construction and registration for parties interested in obtaining retail space has opened.

Dubai Marina invites retailers to become part of a unique waterfront lifestyle by taking up retail space on promenade level, overlooking the tidal water channel. Retail opportunities are mainly targeted at speciality restaurants and coffee shops, which will add to the ambience of leisurely waterfront living.

Further opportunities for a 10,000 square foot supermarket, laundry, ladies' salon and pharmacy also exist along the Dubai Marina water channel. Upon completion, the development will consist of ten districts and will ultimately have 40,000 residents living and shopping within the development. Completion of the ten districts and their retail opportunities will roll out from now up to 2008.

Community shopping centres at The Meadows, The Springs and The Greens will all contain essential retail outlets such as laundromats, pharmacies and supermarkets. In addition, The Springs Centre will house a private clinic. The Meadows will house a sports and youth centre and larger sporting facilities. Each centre will feature restaurants and coffee shops.

The Emirates Hills Town Centre will be located between The Meadows and The Springs and will be easily accessible from a number of EMAAR developments, including the Dubai Marina. It will incorporate a 35,000 square foot supermarket, 12 retail outlets, a male and female spa, three restaurants and three food court outlets.

Arabian Ranches Centre & Polo Club will be part of EMAAR's prestigious Arabian Ranches development. It is set to incorporate a 20,000 square foot supermarket, 10 retail outlets, restaurants and an additional freestanding spa facility. A polo club and horse stables will be the main focus of this development and some retail outlets will be housed within these areas too.

Retailers already signed for EMAAR retail space include Choithrams, Spinney's, Starbucks, Royal Orchid, Rupee Room, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Subway, Johnny Rockets, Il Forno, Digiphoto, Butlers, Champions and Baskin Robbins.