2006
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Joe Bloggs at Battuta
Clothing brand Joe Bloggs has opened its first stand alone outlet at Dubai's Ibn Battuta Mall. Outlining a major regional expansion, senior executives said 50 more stores are planned for GCC countries over the next five years. The shop is a partnership between Dubai government's Retailcorp and UK-based The Juice Corporation.
Monty designs Riffa golf courses
Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie has been retained to design an 18-hole championship golf course and 9-hole short course at Bahrain's Riffa Views. Montgomerie will work on the project with European Golf Design, a joint venture between European Tour and IMG.
Jewellers want exhibition stopped
Bahrain's jewellers are petitioning the government to stop the annual Jewellery Arabia exhibition, claiming it is responsible for a huge drop in their business, reported Gulf Daily News. People are delaying purchases for two months leading up to the exhibition, resulting in a loss of trade of up to 50%, said Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry gold and jewellery committee chairman, Dr Ahmed Al Tahoo.
NTDE opens outlets at DIFC
National Trading and Developing Establishment, a distributor of over 6,000 products in the UAE, is opening five new outlets at the Dubai International Financial Centre. Stores include NewsCentre, Snack & More, Haagen-Dazs Cafe, Champion Cleaners and Smokers' Centre.
Price basket could be improved
The UAE government could improve the value to consumers of its weekly price list of supermarket goods by monitoring the same goods over a six month period, according to analysts ACNielson cited by Gulf News. The Ministry of Economy says it introduced the list to increase competition between retailers and give consumers more price transparency - not to gauge inflation.
Study on fake goods in UAE
A Dubai-based organisation has commissioned a study into the economic impact of intellectual property rights violations in the UAE, reported Gulf News. The KPMG study is being promoted by the Brand Owner's Protection Group, which is made up of leading Middle East corporations. The study will examine counterfeiting in three sectors: automotive and spare parts, pharmaceutical and healthcare, and consumer goods bought daily.
Borders to open in Dubai
US-based book retailer, Borders Group, will open store a store in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates by the end of October 2006, according to Gulf News. The book seller is planning other openings in GCC countries with local partner Al Maya Group. It operates 1200 stores worldwide.
Yallautlob offers home delivery
Yallautlob has started a home delivery service covering restaurants in Jeddah, with the standard charge set at SR22. Customers can either make an order via the Yallautlob call centre or go online. During Ramadan, the company is accepting orders from 4pm until 4am; Yallautlob's website can be accessed at www.yallautlob.com
Hard Rock Cafe, hotel for AD
The Planet Group is planning to open a new five star hotel and a Hard Rock Cafe in Abu Dhabi, reported Gulf News. The $54.5m hotel will have 500 rooms and will be part of the Danet Abu Dhabi development, while the location for the $20.4m restaurant has yet to be finalised. Both are expected to be ready in about 18 months.
Fish prices fishy in UAE
UAE consumers have seen a hike in the price of fish since the start of Ramadan with some places experiencing a rise of 166%, reported Gulf News. Retailers have pointed to a shortage of fish for the increases but many shoppers feel a lack of a regulatory body to control prices is to blame. Some retailers have been buying fish at half the cost of their own retail price.
Footwear imports stepped up
Footwear imports in the UAE have increased almost three times in the last five years, according to an Emirates Industrial Bank report cited in the Gulf News. In 2000, imports were valued at $73.5m but had increased to $204.2m last year. The jump in demand is attributable to the country's growing population and the rise in tourist numbers. The UAE's footwear sector, including exports and re-exports, is worth over $270m.
Dubai firecracker crackdown
The Dubai Police are cracking down on the illegal sale of firecrackers during Ramadan, reported Gulf News. Teams have been set up to monitor the market for firecrackers and the public has been urged to contact the police about shops selling them. Checks have also been stepped up at entry points to the country.
One in four fancies fast food
Market research company TNS has revealed that 26% of the UAE's residents fancy eating out at a fast food, or quick service, restaurant at least once a week, reported Gulf News. But the proportion of Emiratis and expat Arabs doing so is much higher at 65%. Fast food outlets such as McDonald's have tailored their menus to local tastes and its sales figures for August were up 6.1%.
Pure Gold at Reef Mall
Pure Gold Jewellers has opened a new outlet in Dubai at Reef Mall. The store offers a range of jewellery sets with diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones, as well as jewellery watches. It is the retailer's 33rd UAE outlet.
Street vendors curbed
Acting on complaints by residents, authorities in Ras Al Khaimah have closed down a number of illegal fruit and vegetable vendors and seized their produce, Gulf News reported. The unlicenced street vendors were allegedly selling high-priced and stale produce.
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