2007
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Ramadan event in AD
Abu Dhabi's Ramadan and Eid Festival, organised by Al Multaqa Exhibitions, has opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The show, which encompasses all seven of the centre's exhibition halls, will continue until October 13 and around 100,000 visitors are expected to attend. Opening hours are 8pm until 3am daily.
Home Centre for Sahara
Furniture store Home Centre has opened its tenth store in the UAE, and its second in Sharjah, at the Sahara Centre. The 65,000 sqft store is located on the first floor of the mall. Home Centre is planning on opening further outlets in the UAE and across the GCC; its stores in the UAE presently occupy 500,000 sqft of retail space.
Lootah rolls out SoukExtra!
The Lootah Group has revealed that it is to roll out four SoukExtra! supercentres across Dubai by Q3 2008. The stores, each covering around 100,000 sqft, will be located at the Ewan Residences, Al Barsha, Al Quoz and Al Muhaisnah. These will be followed by outlets in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with expansion to other GCC countries taking place in 2009.
MAF in Saudi expansion
MAF Fashion, part of the Majid Al Futtaim Group, is launching 11 new stores in Saudi Arabia, reported Arab News. The firm has opened a branch of Lucky Brand Jeans in Jeddah and plans to open four other outlets, starting with the jeweller Monet and Company, in Riyadh by the end of the year. MAF also intends to open a number of Mexx clothing stores across the kingdom.
Dubai to open new Souk
Dubai's newest shopping, dining and entertainment destination will be opening in December on the urban development of Downtown Burj Dubai. Souk Al Bahar will have over 130 shops and 25 restaurants and cafes lining its waterfront property on The Old Town Island overlooking the Burj Dubai Lake. The mall is being developed and managed by Emaar Malls Group.
Bahrain gets new cineplex
Bahrain City Centre has announced plans for a new state-of-the-art Cineplex. The new 8,000 square meter theatre will be the only one in the region to offer the latest in European VIP standard seats, providing the ultimate in comfort and luxuury. It will feature 20 screens and have capacity for 4,200 customers. The BD 6 million 8,000 square meter, 20 screens and 4,200 capacity Cineco Cineplex, run and operated by the Bahrain Cinema Company, will stand apart in the region as the only cinema theatre offering the latest in European VIP standard seats, introducing to the movie goers the best-ever comfort and luxury experienced.
Dubai Shopping Festival set
The upcoming 13th edition of Dubai Shopping Festival 2008 will begin on January 24, 2008 and run till February 24, the festival's organizers announced. This year's event will focus on shopping, winning, and family entertainment, and is designed to stand out as a full-fledged festive season on its own.
Wagamama eyes growth
Wagamama has opened its third eatery in the Al Fattan Marine Towers, Dubai Marina, as part of an aggressive expansion strategy that will see the international noodle chain launch more than 15 outlets in the region in the next five years. The Zagat restaurant guide recently declared the venue 'Britain's number one' restaurant for the third year running.
Sharjah pulls children's card game
Sharjah authorities have confiscated about about 450 boxes of Yogi playing cards - a popular children's game - from local stores for violating Islam, reported Emirates Today. The playing cards show pictures of imaginary characters and fighting beasts, and the players use magic and violence to gain control of their opponent. Tariq Al Hamadi, head of the Market Control Section at Sharjah Municipality, said the cards 'insult God and contradict Islamic values and traditions.'
Muscat City Center expands
Muscat City Centre has completed its 16-month, RO22.5m expansion project, increasing the centre's gross leasable area from 33,036 square meters to 60,484 square meters. The mall has added 42 top new brands, a first-of-its-kind, dedicated flyover and a spacious multi-level parking lot.
Renault to boost Gulf presence
Renault is restructuring its GCC office to help boost its presence in the Gulf region. The European car manufacturer has named Mohamed Bennani as new managing director of the 12 strong GCC team, which is based in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone. Bennani will oversee the expansion of company's distributor network and showrooms, select new line-ups for the region, and help create a better understanding about Renault in this market.
Dubai dolphinarium on track
Building work has been completed on a proposed dolphinarium which will be located in Dubai's Creek Park, reported Gulf News. The attraction should open to the public within three months and it will form part of the Dubai Marine World project which is costing $55.8m. The dolphinarium has come under criticism from animal welfare campaigners, with The Humane Society International saying it would lead to 'suffering and high dolphin mortality'.
Dubai gold sales up 26%
Tawhid Abdullah, the MD of the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, has said gold sales in Dubai rose by 26% in August, when compared to the same month in 2006, reported Reuters. Abdullah said shoppers had not been put off by gold prices which have recently touched 16 month highs and have risen above $700 an ounce. He predicted sales growth of 40% in September.
UAE Ramadan retail frenzy
The start of Ramadan at the end of last week led to huge queues at the UAE's supermarkets with many outlets stating they had to stay open long after their official closing times to handle the rush, reported Emirates Today. A spokesperson for the Lulu hypermarket chain said heavy demand is expected throughout the month and the group has extended its opening hours from 9am until 1am.
Ex Freshies for Times Square
Retailcorp, a Dubai World company, and the Extreme Media Group, have teamed up to open Ex Freshies - The Extreme Cafe at the new Times Square Mall in Dubai. More outlets are planned for the Outlet Mall and the Mega Mall, Sharjah. The Extreme Group was set up in 1995 by Al Gosling, the founder of the Extreme Sports Channel.
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