2005
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Virgin Cairo on track
Despite high piracy rates in Egypt, Virgin's Cairo Megastore performs as well as other markets, according to CEO Richard Branson. He says Middle East stores perform strongly despite lower disposable incomes, due to lower regional competition.
UAE Potter fans must wait
UAE cinemas say they will not show the latest installment of Harry Potter movies until sometime in December, several weeks after the UK premiere of the movie on 18 November. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth adaptation from the books by British author JK Rowling.
DSF gets $6.8m sponsorship
Firms are set to put up around $6.8m in sponsorship fees towards the $23.1m budget set aside for the 11th Dubai Shopping Festival, running from 4 January to 4 February 2006, reported Gulf News. DSF 2005 recorded a total of 3.3m visitors, who collectively spent $1.8bn.
Future Food for Dubai Mall
Australia-based Future Food has been chosen to formulate a food and beverage strategy for The Dubai Mall. The mall, which is being developed by Emaar, has 3.8m sqft of retail space, which will include more than 150 food and beverage outlets ranging from fast food to fine dining.
Future athletes under discussion
Delegates from over 80 countries will discuss transforming student athletes into high performance competitors at a sports conference in Qatar from 17-19 November, to mark the inauguration of the ASPIRE Sports Dome. The dome will provide indoor training facilities for students at the Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, as well as being a venue for the Doha Asian Games in 2006.
New Awards at Jewellery Arabia
MPPArabia Group's Arabian Watches and Jewellery Magazine announced details of the region's first Watches, Jewellery and Pen Awards at Jewellery Arabia 2005 in Bahrain. Jewellery Arabia, now in its 14th year, is a regional exhibition of watches, jewellery and luxury accessories.
Al Nasr Cinema to go
One of the oldest cinemas in Dubai is to be pulled down, reported Gulf News. The Al Nasr cinema will be replaced by a hotel and a multiplex cinema. Established in the 1980s, the cinema specialises in Asian films but has become out-of-date.
DSC launches MUSS
Dubai Sports City has launched the Manchester United Soccer Schools with the announcement of a four month pilot programme in Dubai to be held at the Al Wasl Sports Club, ahead of the proposed move to DSC in 2007. The MUSS coaching programme is specially adapted from the coaching programme at Manchester United's Youth Academy.
Collins goes out in Dubai
British singer Phil Collins will perform tonight at the Dubai Autodrome before a sellout crowd of 15,000 fans, as part of a string of concerts dubbed as his First Final Farewell Tour. Collins says he will no longer conduct major tours at the end of this series.
Retail Real Estate Forum
The Retail Real Estate Forum and Exhibition 2005 will focus on issues for shopping centre developers, owners, lenders and suppliers in one of the fastest growing retail markets in the world. The event is being run by the Middle East Council of Shopping Centres in Dubai from 11-14 December. For more information visit www.mecsc.org.
Ritchie concert in Dubai
Vibe Middle East is bringing singer Lionel Richie to Dubai for a concert on 15 December 2005. The performance is part of a world tour to promote Ritchie's first album in three years. Tickets are priced from $42.20 to $271, and are available from Virgin Megastores, Hallmark outlets, Planet Hollywood, Megastar outlets, Vibe office, www.boxofficeme.com and www.itptickets.com.
IKEA opens next Wednesday
The massive new IKEA furniture store in the Dubai Festival City will open on Wednesday, November 16 with the Swedish Ambassador to the UAE, Bruno Beijer in attendance for IKEA's traditional log-cutting ceremony followed by a Swedish breakfast.
Ibn Buttuta Mall extends hours
Residents of Dubai and neighbouring emirates can now spend more time shopping and enjoying entertainment activities at the Ibn Battuta Mall after opening hours were extended until midnight on all days of the week after success of extended opening hours during the Holy month of Ramadan, and in response to feedback from both customers and retailers.
Hong Kong fashion hits Mideast
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council last night hosted a glittering fashion extravaganza in Dubai, part of the Hong Kong in Style exhibition. Hong Kong watchmakers and fashion houses see big room for expansion in the booming retail markets of the Middle East.
Sharjah Ramadan Fair a flop
Exhibitors told Gulf News that the Sharjah Ramadan Fair 2005 was a failure with a low turnout due to poor publicity and marketing. Some 45 sent a letter to the organisers asking for compensation. The organisers claimed the fair was a big success but offered a 30% discount on participation in the next fair.
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