Dubai Festival City unveils retail future in presentation extravaganza

Some 700 retailers representing regional and international brands were hosted at the spectacular event at the world-class project's site and welcomed by Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of Dubai Festival City's developer, the giant Al Futtaim Group.

They heard how the Festival Centre will take retailing in Dubai to new heights and when complete, in September 2006, will add over two million square feet of leaseable retail space to the emirate's buoyant retail landscape.

"It will be a totally new retail experience not only for Dubai but the entire region," said Phil McArthur, Director, Leasing and Marketing, Dubai Festival City. "It is a carefully planned mix of entertainment, lifestyle and retail featuring some of the world's most popular brands."

Festival Centre's first phase, due to open in September 2005, will house the UAE's flagship IKEA linked to an internationally branded hypermarket via an atrium.

Just six months later an Ace Hardware store, garden centre and over 200,000 square feet of lifestyle home décor and family fashion retail will open. This second phase will also feature a variety of large format stores.

The third and final phase, opening September 2006, is almost completely committed after receiving tremendous interest from the regional and international retailing community.

"With its unmatched downtown waterfront setting, the Festival Centre will be a stunning destination, with ample car parking that ensures clear traffic flow - one of our major points of difference," said McArthur. "Another key differentiating factor will be its accessibility, aside from the current access off Garhoud Bridge; the new Ras Al Khor crossing will have two dedicated exit ramps into Festival Centre."

To capture the festival spirit, the retail presentation was rounded off with dinner, spectacular entertainment from acrobats and jugglers while a stunning laser and fireworks show illuminated the entire construction site in a magnificent evening finale.

"Entertainment will be an integral element of the Festival Centre and retailers had just a taste of things to come," said McArthur.

The presentation has now set a new benchmark in B-2-B communications.

"This was the best presentation I have ever seen in my life," said Camille Abi-Aad, Projects Manager, Belhoul Corporate Office. "It was not just the best I have seen in Dubai, but the best I have seen anywhere.

"We are actively considering bringing one of the most up-market brands in France to the Festival Centre which will be a hub for shopping and dining."