2005
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Tiger Woods returns to Dubai
The world's No1 golfer Tiger Woods will return to Dubai to play in the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic from February 2-5. This will be his third appearance at the Dubai event which is sponsored by Dubai Aluminium, CNN, Emaar, Nakheel, Samsung, Emirates, National Bank of Dubai, BMW and Jebel Ali Resort.
Bahrain's new water park
Bahrain is to get a $50 water theme park as a part of the Al Areen mixed-use development. The Lost Paradise Dilmun Water Park will cover 800,000 sqft and will be adjacent to a shopping centre, five-star hotel and the Al Areen Wildlife Park.
Emke Group, $205m expansion
The Abu Dhabi based Emke Group is planning to invest $205m in 12 more hypermarkets in Oman, Yemen and Kuwait over the next two months, reported Gulf News. The group presently operates 47 LuLu hypermarkets and supermarkets, and its sales exceed $752m a year.
Dubai awaits first ski season
Journalists will be invited to see the snow falling in the Mall of the Emirates next week. The press conference is part of the run up to the eagerly awaited opening of the Middle East's first indoor ski slope in a few weeks time which is part of the largest mall outside North America.
Jewellery design entries flow in
The World Gold Council says it has received over 2,000 entries since the launch of the fourth Pan-Arab Gold Jewellery Design Contest for 2005. The competition aims at identifying and encouraging talented Arab jewellery designers and providing them with international exposure. The prize winner will receive a seven ounce medal of pure gold.
Retail growth on the agenda
The combined Gulf/Levant region could have 140m sqft of retail space within five years, with the UAE offering 58m sqft, predicted UK-based retail consultancy Retail International. The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres will hold its annual conference in Dubai from 11-15 December 2005, where retailers and developers will discuss the growth of retail in the region.
Dubai carries the dairy can
Dubai's dairy and fruit juices industry is expanding at a rate of 10% annually and currently meets 56% of UAE demand, according to a study by the Department of Economic Development. The study recommends the dairy industry research and develops new products, as imports are not completely satisfying varied market demands.
Nakheel creates retail firm
Dubai-based property developer Nakheel has created a company to manage the firm's entire retail business. Retail Corp will handle retail projects at Nakheel's real estate developments, including The Palm Jumeirah, as well as oversee the development of the second phase of Ibn Battuta Mall.
Ikea on the move
Home furnishing retailer Ikea will complete the move from Deira City Centre to its new home at Dubai Festival City in November. Covering an area of 35,000 sqft, the new store will be four times the size of the present outlet and will offer 35-40% more products.
First ME retail expo
International retail professionals are expected in Dubai from 7-9 March 2006 for Middle East Retail Expo. MERE will focus on the rapid growth in Dubai's retail sector, with industry-led seminars. The expo runs alongside Franchising Middle East. Sectors featured include banking, logistics and supply chain, retail design and merchandising, and POS.
F1 comes to Dubai
Dubai is to build a $360m Formula One theme park, with work to start next year, F1 mastermind Bernie Ecclestone told Gulf News. It will be developed by Union Properties in conjuction with Formula One Administration at the Dubai MotorCity and will cover 5m sqft and include a hotel and conference centre.
Ramadan Fair in Sharjah
The Sharjah Expo Centre is hosting the Ramadan Fair 2005 until November 6 featuring more than 500 local and international companies. The fair is open from 8pm to 1am on weekdays and from 8pm to 2am at the weekends.
Damac markets retail outlets
Dubai property developer Damac is marketing 100,000 sqft of retail space in three of its landmark towers, and claims to have already sold 40,000 sqft at Marina Terrace. The new retail outlets are in two towers in the Jumeirah Lakes district and one in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Own-brand goods to increase
UAE food retailers will offer more own-brand goods as retail margins get squeezed, according to an ACNielsen study on private labels cited in Emirates Today. Head of retailer services Hubert Lobo says retail costs are lower on private labels because there is no need for marketing or expensive packaging. Private label sales account for only 3-4% of total sales in the Middle East compared with 15% globally.
Hong Kong style comes to Dubai
More than 200 Hong Kong companies specialising in fashion accessories, electronics, home wares and hotel products will be exhibiting at the second Hong Kong in Style exhibition from 7-10 November 2005 in Dubai. The exhibition is being held concurrently with the annual International Autumn Trade Fair.
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