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Cellucom opening 16 stores
Mobile phone retailer Cellucom has revealed it is in the process of opening 16 new stores in the UAE as part of its expansion programme. The firm has rolled out nine of its Xpress outlets in Etisalat Business Centres right across the country. The additional stores will take Cellucom's total in the UAE to 40; it has close to 100 throughout the Middle East and more than 100 in India.
Gas cylinder price spike
The cost of gas cylinders in Dubai has jumped by more than 20%, with Emirates Gas and Emarat announcing hikes yesterday, Sunday, reported Gulf News. The cost of an 11 kilogramme (kg) cylinder has gone up from Dhs43 to Dhs53, while a 22 kg canister has risen from Dhs76 to Dhs92 and a 44 kg container from Dhs143 to Dhs187. Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah have seen 10% hikes this month.
Al Islami signs co-op deal
Dubai's Al Islami Foods, a halal food producer, has signed an agreement with the Al Ain Cooperative Society which will lead to the establishment of Al Islami meat shops in the co-op's supermarket branches. The shops should be up and running at some point next year and Al Islami, as part of its expansion programme, will shortly announce more outlets across the UAE.
Gulf LCD TV market hits $500m
Manish Bakshi, the GM of BenQ Middle East and Africa, has said the LCD TV market in the Gulf region will be worth $500m in 2008, a 66.6% increase on this year's $300m, reported Gulf News. The Taiwanese firm has enjoyed a 35% spike in its Q3 Mena region revenues, reaching $25m, and on course to break through $100m for the year.
RAK closes groceries
Ras Al Khaimah Municipality has shut down two groceries in the emirate which were found to be selling a tobacco based product, known as niswar, to school children, reported Gulf News. A medical expert has said niswar poses a serious risk to health and can lead to addiction. The shops have each been fined Dhs2,000 and they may face permanent closure following a review of the incident.
Souk Al Bahar opens
The Emaar Malls Group has opened phase one of the Souk Al Bahar at the Old Town Island in the Downtown Burj Dubai development. Phase one includes over 50 stores offering a mix of handicrafts, souvenirs, fashion and accessories and homeware; a 5,587 sqft Spinneys supermarket has also opened. Souk Al Bahar should be fully operational by the middle of next year.
Estefan performs at DIFF
US pop star Gloria Estefan performed a live set at Dubai Media City on Thursday evening as part of the ongoing 4th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), reported Gulf News. Estefan's appearance supported the showing of 90 Millas, a documentary produced and directed by her husband Emilio which charts the history of Cuban music.
$1m diamond garment at Jewellery Week
A diamond studded top estimated to be worth $1.3m is up for a silent auction at the Dubai International Jewellery Week, reported Xpress. The garment was be previewed privately during the event, the stunning outfit - encrusted with 905 diamonds mounted in 18 karat white gold and woven with 254 carats - was created by the famous Italian couturier and designer, Gianfranco Ferré in partnership with diamond company and DTC sightholder Dalumi.
Dubai Mega Global Village opens
Global Village will be open to the public today will be featuring 30 pavilions and kiosks selling products and handicrafts from various countries, reported Gulf News. Organizers expect the number of visitors to grow from 4.2 million to 4.5 million, which translates into almost half a billion to AED1bn income for businesses, based on a AED100 to AED200 per visitor spend. The Global Village, located in Dubailand on Emirates Road, The event will run until March 1, extending the operation period from 59 days last year to 80. Tickets are priced at Dh5 and can be bought at the entry gates.
Customer service in UAE is poor
Customer service in UAE retail stores is poor, causing them to lose about a third of their customers because of lack of intelligent service, according to a survey by Grass Roots. The survey, which sent out undercover customers across the country to retail outlets in four industry sectors, showed that 41% of the staff did not recommend the relevant product or service. The survey also found that initiative was sorely lacking among retail staff, reported Gulf News.
Shells Seafood Restaurants open in the ME
Shells Seafood Restaurants, the US based seafood restaurant chain, has signed an international agreement that will bring 10 Shells restaurants to countries in the Middle East, over the coming 10 years. Saudi Arabia-based Food and Entertainment, which operates numerous restaurants throughout the region, has purchased the rights to the Shells brand for $1.75m, which will be paid over a nine month period.
i2 into Angola
Saudi Arabian mobile phone retailer i2 has opened two retail outlets in Angola and has plans to cover most of the major cities in the country within the next 24 months. There are more than 3m mobile subscribers in the country and the penetration rate is around 24.5%. The firm also recently opened a head office in Johannesburg to oversee its African distribution network.
Saudi raises subsidies
Saudi Arabia is to increase its subsidies of rice and baby milk, reported Arab News. The government will subsidise the sale of rice at the rate of SR1,000 per tonne, while for baby milk the subsidy will be raised from SR2 per kilogram to SR12. The move is to lessen the impact of inflation which has seen rice increase in price by 30% in the last three months alone.
Man Utd to visit Saudi
English Premier League football team and current champions Manchester United is to visit Saudi Arabia in January, reported the AFP. The team will be the 'guests' of Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and will play local side Al Hilal in Riyadh on January 21 as a testimonial for Saudi player Sami Al Jaber. The trip will also incorporate a training camp.
Egg price hike plan hatched
UAE based poultry farmers have revealed the cost of eggs and chickens is likely to spike by up to 20% this month due to an increase in animal feed prices, reported Gulf News. The cost of a tray of eggs has already risen recently by Dhs1. The Ministry of Economy wants the UAE to become self sufficient in egg production; at the present time, 50% of demand is met locally.
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