2006
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Negligence behind Doha fire
A fire which gutted the BHS clothing outlet at Doha's Landmark Mall on December 9 and resulted in the closure of the shopping centre on the following day was caused by negligence, according to a statement by the Ministry of the Interior and cited by The Peninsula. The statement urged shop owners and complexes to make sure staff followed strict safety criteria.
Cirque du Soleil due in Dubai
As was announced in September, Cirque du Soleil will premiere in Dubai with its production Quidam early next month. The six week showing of Quidam will be staged from January 4 until February 18 at the 2,500 seater Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau near the Ibn Battuta Mall. The show will begin at 8pm every weekday, except Monday, and at both 4pm and 8pm on weekends.
Top footie clubs for DSF
The inaugural Mohammed bin Rashid International Football Championship, with a prize fund of $2m, is to be held in association with the Dubai Sports Council from January 8-10 at the Al Ahli Football Stadium, Dubai. Leading international sides Bayern Munich, Benfica, Lazio and Santos will take part. The event will be broadcast on international TV stations and is part of this year's Dubai Shopping Festival.
Festival Waterfront to open at DSF
Festival Waterfront Centre, a retail phase of the $6.1bn Dubai Festival City development, will open during the Dubai Shopping Festival, Gulf News reports, citing DFC officials. Stores will open on a 'progressive basis' until mid-2007, when DFC will carry 450 shops. The UK's Marks and Spencer will be one of the first stores to open.
RAK half marathon riches
With prize money of $150K, Ras Al Khaimah will host the world's richest half marathon on 9 February 2006, Trade Arabia reports. Part of the registration proceeds will help fund community programmes in Lebanon. The race will also feature a corporate relay team challenge with four members each running around 5km.
Giordano up to 30% off
Fashion brand Giordano is offering up to 30% discounts on all merchandise from local stores during Dubai Shopping Festival. Under its 'buy more, get more' campaign, a greater discount is given the higher the value of total purchases. The offer runs from 20 December 2006 to 2 February 2007.
Jafza fake goods hotspot
Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone is one of the worst offending centres for counterfeit consumer goods, according to a World Customs Organisation executive interviewed by Middle East Retail News. Fake goods include vodka, champagne, soft drinks and perfume, with 70% to 80% of the goods produced in China. The problem is now so severe that most shipments from Dubai are now considered suspicious by foreign customs agents.
DSF gold sales to hit $220m
Gold sales at this year's Dubai Shopping Festival could be 45% higher than last year's $150m, according to an industry expert quoted by Emirates Today. Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group MD Tawhid Abdullah says sales of around $220m are expected. Dubai gold sales for Q4 are expected to rise 15%, after suffering a 30% decline in Q3, Abdullah said.
Qatar eyeing Olympics bid
Qatari officials are confident a successful holding of the Doha Asian Games, currently still running, will give the country a good chance of winning a bid for the 2016 Olympic Games, The Peninsula reported. With around 25,000 hotel rooms said to be needed to host the event, Qatar plans to put up 30-50 new hotels before 2016, according to Saoud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, Secretary-General of the Qatar National Olympic Committee.
Price manipulation claim
A senior UAE government official claims some retailers are manipulating prices of essentials in the weekly price basket published by the Ministry of Economy, Gulf News reported. Goods are being quoted at lower prices when the price basket information is gathered, and then raised when offered for sale, according to Humaid Bin, assistant undersecretary for control and companies affairs.
Global Village opens Wednesday
Dubai's Global Village opens tomorrow, Wednesday 13 December, and will run to 9 February 2007. Entry is Dhs5 per person. Hours are 4pm to 12 midnight weekdays, and 4pm to 1am weekends. Daily entertainment will be held in a new amphitheatre, including twice daily shows of Aqua Fantasia, Gulf News reported.
Costa Coffee for SIA
Costa Coffee opened a new outlet at Sharjah International Airport last month. The Costa Coffee outlet is located at the New Terminal and is open to all passengers whether they are in the departures section or transit lounges. The new outlet is the 30th opened by Costa Coffee in the UAE; Costa Coffee UAE is a division of Emirates Leisure Retail.
Ajman City Centre celebrates
Ajman City Centre has launched a Season of Celebrations to mark its 8th anniversary, as well as Christmas and Eid Al Adha. The mall is planning a series of events, activities and festive entertainment. Shoppers spending an unspecified amount will also be entered into four weekly raffles where they stand to win Dhs10,000; the draws will take place every Friday at 8pm.
Third athletics gold for Saudi
It is turning out to be a good Asian Games for Saudi Arabia's athletes as Hamdan Awdah Al Bishi won the Men's 400 metres yesterday to post the kingdom's third track and field gold, reported Reuters. Al Bishi edged out Bahrain's Brandon Simpson in a closely contested final few metres. Defending champion Fawzi Al Shammari of Kuwait had to settle for bronze.
Second Cup for Egypt
The UAE's BinHendi Enterprises has signed a sub-franchise agreement with Yasser Mahmoud El Kalawi - Plaza Property Management to open outlets of the cafe chain Second Cup in Egypt. The signing is part of BinHendi Enterprises' regional expansion plans. Plaza Property Management plans to open a flagship Second Cup cafe in Cairo, situated in the new City Star Mall, and then further outlets in Sharm El Sheikh and Alexandria.
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