Marina Mall hosts study tour of the 9th Middle East Council of Shopping Centres

The delegates are attending a four-day convention from October 6 to October 9, featuring a trade exhibition, various workshops geared at the latest trends in development, re-development and design, as well as the most effective types of management, maintenance, security, marketing, leasing, tenant mix and finance.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the MECSC study tour, and it is a great opportunity for the Marina Mall to be part of this convention," said JP Grobbelaar, General Manager, Marina Mall. "A total of 45 delegates from Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, United Kingdom, Yemen, USA, Bahrain, India, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Palestine came on the tour to study the Mall's facilities which include 164 retail outlets offering a wide variety of consumables from jewellery and watches to designer clothes and electronic goods, children's wear, sports goods, perfumes, cosmetics, shoes and accessories, gift items and household goods."

The objective of the tour was to give delegates an insight into the shopping centre industry in Abu Dhabi, which has come a long way over the past years. The delegates were given a detailed briefing on the background of the mall, the area that covers, the location on the Abu Dhabi Breakwater, the expansion plans, mall operations and services.

The delegates of MECSC were invited for lunch and thereafter to a tour around IKEA by the store manager James McGowan. IKEA originates from Sweden and has had its home in Marina Mall since 2001. Being the world's largest home furniture and furnishings store, it is an ideal flagship store for Marina Mall, offering customers value for money home furnishings with styles varying from modern to country - all under one roof. IKEA also has a restaurant where you can stop by to enjoy Scandinavian dishes such as meatballs and smoked salmon but also offers various other dishes to suit everyone's tastes.

"Marina Mall encourages the experimentation of new retail concepts and brands. By doing this, upcoming retailers can strengthen their foothold to compete with well-known global brands," said Grobbelaar. "The Mall is undergoing a major expansion, with the Phase II development adding a further 49,000m to the existing gross leasable area. The extension will comprise of 180 additional stores which will include a 4000m snow dome and a bowling alley. The snow dome will feature a ski slope, ice rink and other winter related leisure activities are of which will add up to ensure a very exciting shopping and leisure experience."