2006
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Save.ae offers new services
Online Dubai based shopping store www.save.ae is adding new services to its website. Customers can now arrange to have their phone bills paid for them and also have their mail collected and delivered. The online store currently has a list of 1,100 products on its site and offers a cash on delivery service.
Saudi claims 100m gold
Saudi Arabia's Yahya Hassan Habeeb claimed gold in the Men's 100m final at the Asian Games yesterday, reported Gulf News. The 22 year old Habeeb clocked 10.32 seconds to edge out Japan's Naoki Tsukahara who finished in 10.34 seconds. Thailand's Wachara Sondee won the bronze.
Afghani bakeries hike prices
Afghani bakeries in Abu Dhabi are feeling the pinch of increased rents and a rise in the price of raw materials, reported Gulf News. Many outlets have increased the price of rotis, a kind of flat bread, by up to 50%. The bread is a staple food of low-paid Asian workers and the price hike has impacted on their tight monthly budgets.
DVD sellers avoid detection
Sellers of pirated DVDs and CDs in Dubai are not being deterred by a crackdown by the authorities which has seen sniffer dogs employed to hunt out merchandise, reported Gulf News. Retailers of illegal DVDs have formed their own association and meet once a month to discuss sales targets and strategies. Most conduct business on street corners in order to avoid detection and retain a small and loyal customer base.
UAE claims gold in Doha
Fujairah's Mohammad Salem Abdullah Zahmi has made sporting history in the UAE by winning the country's first gold medal at the Asian Games, reported Gulf News. Zahmi triumphed in the 65kg bodybuilding competition. Former Olympic gold medallist Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum narrowly missed out on gold in the men's individual skeet shooting, settling for silver after a shoot-off.
StanChart launches golf clinics
The Standard Chartered Bank is launching a six week golf clinic for school children prior to the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, from January 18-21. Sixty children from schools and colleges in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will be coached by a local golf professional at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. The two most promising students will be invited to a one hour golf clinic with a pro during the tournament.
Powerboat champs in AD
The Formula 1 World Powerboat Championships are to be held in Abu Dhabi tomorrow, December 8. Etisalat is the main sponsor of the event which will see Team Emirates, one of the favourites, attempt to win the crown following previous success in 2000 and 2004.
Figaro's Pizza moves on Mideast
Abu Dhabi-based Foodco Holding subsidiary Sense Gourmet has signed a master franchising agreement to bring the US' Figaro's Pizza to the Middle East, with plans to initially open 35 outlets in the UAE, Trade Arabia reports. Outlets will later be rolled out in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Egypt and Lebanon.
Dubai retail space to triple
Shopping space in Dubai will triple over the next four years if developers follow through on current and planned projects, according to an expert quoted by Emirates Today. Phil McArthur, MD of Al Futtaim Group's shopping centres says population growth and tourism will drive shopping centre development in the emirate.
Emax-Big Box opens in Sharjah
Landmark Group has opened what it claims is the Middle East's largest electronics store, Emax-Big Box in Sharjah. The 135,000 sqft store features more than 300 brands and 100,000 products. Services include warranty against theft and damage and conversion from video to DVD.
Testa Rossa cafe at DIFC
Specialty coffee company Austria-based House of Wedl has opened a Testa Rossa Caffe at Dubai International Financial Centre. The maker of Italian expresso coffee says it will invest $27.2m opening 160 cafes in 12 Middle Eastern countries over the next 4-5 years.
Ministry accused on price rises
Qatar's ministry of economy has been blamed by a member of the Central Municipal Council for the rising prices of consumer goods in the country, Gulf News reported. Ahmad Ebrahim Al Sheeb said traders are 'taking consumers for a ride' in the absence of state supervision. High food prices and spiralling rents are particularly affecting middle to low income groups.
Strong registration for DSF
The 2006-7 Dubai Shopping Festival has processed a large number of applications from retailers wanting to participate since registration commenced. The DSF is hoping more than 3,000 outlets will register for the 45 day long event. Interested parties should submit completed application forms with relevant fees at the Department of Economic Development between 4pm and 8pm from Sundays to Thursdays and from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays until January 20.
Air Miles, Adidas UAE deal
The Air Miles loyalty programme has teamed up with Adidas in the UAE. Starting this month, as part of an introductory offer, Air Miles is offering shoppers the chance to earn double air miles on all purchases made at any of Adidas' nine outlets in the country. Adidas is planning to open four more stores before the end of the year, including a major new centre in Dubai.
LuLu opens in Muscat
The LuLu hypermarket chain is set to open its 56th store today in the Seeb area of Muscat, reported Gulf News. The outlet, which covers more than 160,000 sqft, is located at the renovated Al Burj Complex and offers parking for 1,000 cars. The Emke Group, which runs the LuLu chain, has already opened three other hypermarkets in Oman: at Bausher, Darsait and Sohar.
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