Majid Al Futtaim Group opens Muscat City Centre

On the opening day, more than 50,000 people visited the mall, the first of its kind in Oman, which features a major Carrefour hypermarket as its flagship store and about 60 other retail outlets as well as restaurants, a Magic Planet family entertainment centre and parking for 1500 cars. Total retail space covers a massive 32,250 square metres.

"Although this was a 'soft opening' without any official ceremony, the public interest was, and continues to be, extraordinary", said Rob Fusco, General Manager of Muscat City Centre. "It is an extremely encouraging start and gives an early indication that the Majid Al Futtaim shopping centre concept will be successful in countries throughout the region."

Muscat City Centre, strategically located on the road from the Omani capital to Seeb International Airport, blends with Oman's distinctive architecture combining the best of traditional and modern features and facilities. From the outside, it resembles an oasis caravanserai while the interior reflects Arab styling with wide, brightly-lit walkways. The whole complex is climate controlled.

The Centre is fully let with all the units expected to be ready for business by January. Among the major brands that have contracted space in Muscat City Centre are Woolworth, Mango, Landmark, Areej and Sun & Sand Sports. A Starbucks coffee house is also due to open shortly while the food court will include 10 outlets with seating for 500 people.

Chris Nelson, Majid Al Futtaim Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: "As the capital of our closest neighbouring country at the heart of a major population catchment area, Muscat was the logical location for our first City Centre outside the UAE. We are delighted with its initial impact and we see huge potential which will help us build on the success we have achieved in the UAE.

"We believe that Muscat City Centre will strongly benefit the community, providing real value for money, entertainment for the whole family and encouraging local trade and suppliers.

"While our core market will always be the UAE, our founder, Mr Majid Al Futtaim, envisages the City Centre brand moving into many of the major markets of the Middle East. Our next regional venture will be in Egypt while in the UAE we will shortly be announcing plans for the Souk Al Nakheel site south of Dubai."

The opening of Muscat City Centre comes only two weeks after Majid Al Futtaim Group opened its Sharjah City Centre shopping and leisure mall in the heart of Sharjah, another project where visitor number are well exceeding the Group's expectations. In addition, the Group owns and manages Ajman City Centre, Ajman, and Deira City Centre, Dubai, the region's largest mall.