2005
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Mall of Emirates to set Sept date
Dubai shoppers are keenly awaiting news of the launch date for the Mall of the Emirates. The last week of September is now the target though a date is not yet set. The stunning new mall on the Sheikh Zayed Road includes the region's first indoor ski slope with real snow, and will be the biggest mall in the Middle East.
Saks backs cancer charity
Saks Fifth Avenue, based in Dubai's BurJuman mall, has announced the launch of Key to the Cure, a philanthropic initiative, taking place in-store on October 26-27. The campaign aims to raise funds for cancer research and treatment for women. The store has committed 5% of the total sales on that week-end to benefit the locally based Friends of Cancer Patients charity and the international organization Women's Cancer Research Fund.
Oasis Centre gutted by fire
Dubai's Oasis Centre shopping mall was gutted by fire on Friday, and will cost around $82m to rebuild, reported Gulf News. The fire was started by contractors undertaking renovation work. They had apparently disconnected a fire alarm system because of the renovations.
$1.5bn Falcon City, Dubailand
The $1.5bn Falcon City of Wonders at Dubailand was launched yesterday. To symbolize the heritage of the UAE the zone is shaped like a falcon, and it features huge structures based on the wonders of the ancient and modern world spread over 40m sqft. There will also be a strong retail and residential element.
Mineral water on the table
Masafi, a leading regional brand of bottled mineral water, is sponsoring the Global Mineral Water Congress being held from 20-22 September in Dubai. Bottled drinking water sales are growing in the region and delegates will discuss a number of topics including consumer preferences for bottled water in emerging markets, opportunities for seawater desalination and bottling, and product innovation.
Marsh to coach cricket academy
The ICC and Dubai Sports City announced the appointment of former Australian test cricketer Rod Marsh as the director of coaching at the ICC Global Cricket Academy. Marsh will take a lead role in the planning and development of cricket's international centre of excellence which is scheduled to be launched in 2007.
Al Maya in $11m expansion
Dubai-based Al Maya Group is investing $11m in an expansion which will see it set up eight new supermarkets and at least two fashion retail stores in the next 12 months, a senior company official told Gulf News. The company currently operates 30 retail outlets including 15 supermarkets.
LG aims for 34% growth
LG Electronics is aiming at Middle East sales of $2.8bn by 2007 for its Digital Appliance Division, which would be a 34% growth over 2004. The company's strategy is to concentrate on premium products that return greater margins and has developed a CRM programme, called the Diamond Club, to drive sales.
LG opens biggest UAE store
The Al Yousuf Group has opened the UAE's biggest LG Electronics showroom at Dubai's Ibn Battuta shopping mall. The group also again launched its Happy Service Day initiative for existing customers, which brings them free service all day long.
Damac offers JLT retail space
Damac Properties has launched more than 100,000 sqft of retail space in its Lake Terrace and Lake View residential projects in the Jumeirah Lake Towers located in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The aim is to attract fashion and upmarket food shops.
Last days of DSS sales
The Dubai Summer Surprises festival is now in its closing days, leaving shoppers little time to avail themselves of the sales. Retailers report record sales this year, with Lamcy Plaza claiming a 25% hike in business. Booming tourism in August has been helpful, said local sources.
Lamcy Plaza, 25% sales hike
Lamcy Plaza has reported a 25% surge in sales during the Dubai Summer Surprises festival compared with last year. General manager Tim Jones said that the mall would celebrate with a further special promotion over the next three days.
Grand Stores to sell Packard Bell
Packard Bell, the consumer brand of NEC Corporation International, has appointed Grand Stores to distribute its products in the UAE. The store will sell PB's line of Notebooks, MP3 players, DVD players, Desktops and LCD monitors. Packard Bell is the number one home PC brand in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the UK, according to IDC figures.
Al Sayegh, $27.2m retail expansion
Dubai-based Al Sayegh Brothers is investing more than $27.2m in retail expansion which includes plans to develop 40 concept stores by 2008, reported Gulf News. Dubai's tourist traffic is expected to grow 10 times over the next 10 years from the current four million a year, and the firm sees branded retail as the path for future growth.
Arts centre to promote culture
The Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, located on the roof of the Mall of the Emirates, will open in Q1 2006. The non-profit theatre and arts centre will have seating for more than 500 people in the main two-level theatre, a studio theatre, art galleries, a music school and library. The centre will promote Arab and international art and culture in Dubai.
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