Sahara Centre hosted the "Go for excellence awards," a recognition for tenants

Sahara Centre Management, with radio DJ's Rick and Daniel, presented outstanding facts and figures for 2004 that continue to position Sahara Centre as the UAE's favourite family shopping and entertainment destination. Highlights included a sales increased of 15% per cent over 2003; average spend per person increased by 120% per cent; footfall was up by 12 per cent to 7.8 million customers, and total raffle sales for 2004 stood at an astonishing amount of more than AED 57 million.

"We are extremely proud of how well Sahara Centre performed in 2004. Our outstanding performance represents excellence from the tenants and feedback from our most valued customers, reinforcing the knowledge that we are intensifying our presence, product and service offering," said Gavin Cox, Managing Director, Sahara Centre.

Achievements and distinction were recognized in innovation, creativity, business acumen and dedication to customer service. In acknowledgement, Sahara Centre management honoured ten commendable tenants in various fields of excellence.

Starbucks took the first award for Excellence in Customer Service, with THE One taking second place. The nights second award went to Al Jaber Optical Centre for Excellence in Cooperative Marketing, while Lifestyles came runners up. A closely contended Excellence in Sales Performance saw Toy Giants, Toys R Us, come out on top as Clarks came a close second.

One of the UAE's most established brands, Damas, took the Excellence in Advertising & Publicity award with Jennyfer close on its heels. River Island romped home winning the Excellence in Visual Merchandising award while Motivi came in second, and the sixth award went to Marina Furniture in the Excellence in Shop Design category as Limited Too came runners up.

In addition, Sahara Centre's anchor tenant Adventure land was crowned Outstanding Anchor of the Year, and the category saw Marks & Spencer take the second spot. Outstanding Kiosk of the Year went to Aptec Mobile with Sweet Factory one place behind, and L'Auberge Café won the Outstanding Food Retailer of the Year award, with Burger King second. International retailer Aldo took the Outstanding Retailer of the Year award as Okaidi grabbed the runners up place. Grand winners went away with an elegantly engraved Crystal Trophy and runners up were awarded with wooden framed certificate to mark the occasion.

Commenting on the excellence awards, Gavin Cox, Managing Director, Sahara Centre, said, "These award categories were created in line with the primary strategy of our business, to achieve excellence, to ensure a competitive edge in the market place and to fortify that Sahara Centre is the ultimate family shopping, entertainment and food destination in the UAE."

The awards ceremony provided an ideal platform to enthuse the mall's tenants. Expressing its commitment to the tenants and the continued development of the malls shopping and entertainment facilities, Sahara Centre will continue to implement strategies and marketing tools to ensure it's one step ahead of the competition.