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Dubai smoking ban extended
The second phase of Dubai's anti-smoking regulations comes into effect today, Sunday, with restaurants and cafes wishing to operate a smoking section needing to fulfil certain Dubai Municipality regulations related to limiting smoke exposure, reported Gulf News. The Dubai based daily revealed that a number of restaurants were either unaware of the specific regulations or even that they were set to be implemented.
Emaar expands Gold Park
Emaar Malls Group, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, has completed the second and third phase of expansion of the Gold and Diamond Park in Dubai, located alongside Sheikh Zayed Road. The development now offers 90 gold and jewellery retail outlets as well as office blocks providing 350 commercial units and 118 manufacturing facilities.
Emke three more in Qatar
The Dubai based supermarket chain Emke Group is to invest more than $137m on establishing three new stores in Qatar, reported the Khaleej Times. A new hypermarket should open next February in Karafa, while two more outlets have been lined up. Emke currently has 64 stores across the Middle East and is hoping to open 15 more by 2010.
Pizza Inn to expand in Kuwait
Pizza Inn has signed plans to open 20 new Pizza Inn restaurants in Kuwait. The chain has awarded a master license agreement to the Raja Company, based in Kuwait City, in a continuation of the brand's expansion throughout the Middle East and into Asia.
JM Weston debuts in Dubai
JM Weston, the France-headquartered luxury footwear brand, has opened its first store in the region at Dubai Festival City, reported Khaleej Times. The retailer plans to open two more stores in Dubai over the next 12 to 18 months and another in Abu Dhabi.
Smoking ban may hit sales
Dubai malls may suffer an economic hit from the emirate's ban on smoking, reported Gulf News. The ban may be causing fewer people to visit malls, which have traditionally been a place for socialization as well as shopping in the Middle East.
Dubai bread prices rise
The price of bread is likely to spike by 20% later this month in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, reported Gulf News. A number of supermarkets told the Dubai based daily that several large industrial bakeries had warned them of a 20% lift in prices from November 21 due to an increase in the cost of flour. But it is not thought the price rise will affect Abu Dhabi.
Saudi bans Canadian poultry
Saudi Arabia's Agriculture Ministry has banned the importation of live chickens and poultry products from Canada due to reports of bird flu being present in the country, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The agency claimed the World Organisation for Animal Health said there had been an outbreak of the disease in Regina, Saskatchewan. Saudi's ban follows on from one recently imposed on Canada by the Ukraine.
Al Maya to distribute Head goods
The UAE's Al Maya Trading Company has tied up with the UK's Corsair International, the licensed manufacturer of the Head sports toiletry range. Under the terms of the agreement, Al Maya will promote and distribute Head products such as its eau de toilette, body spray and shower gel in the UAE and across the GCC.
Kiplagat for Dubai Marathon
Lornah Kiplagat, Kenyan born but now a Dutch citizen, has decided to enter the 2008 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 18 which offers $1m in prize money, reported Gulf News. Kiplagat, the current World Cross Country champion and holder of the Half Marathon world record, will be targeting the $250,000 winner's cheque. Ethiopian legend and Marathon world record holder Haile Gebrselassie heads the men's race.
15th store for Abu Dhabi Co-op
The Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society has opened its 15th supermarket in the Muroor area of the capital. The 60,000 sqft store is located close to the junction of 4th Street, also known as Muroor Road, and 31st Street. The complex also contains a bank, pharmacy and launderette as well as parking for 150 cars.
Shisha cafes get a year's grace
Dubai Municipality (DM) is to give cafes that offer outdoor shisha smoking one year to move the service indoors, reported the Khaleej Times. Meanwhile the DM is set to commence the second phase of its drive to regulate smoking in public places. Now that a ban on smoking in malls has been implemented, the authority will now look at regulations concerning restaurants and cafes.
Jewellery event in December
Jewellery Collections Dubai will be held from December 11-15 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Entry to the event will be free and there will be a ladies only viewing session on December 13 between noon and 4pm. Jewellery retailers such as Damas, Amwaj and Rosyblue will be in attendance.
Emaar Malls plans major growth
Dubai-based Emaar Properties' mall unit may borrow, possibly on its own, to finance an 11-fold expansion in retail space in the Middle East and Asia in a decade, reported the Bahrain Tribune. Rashid Doleh, chief executive of Emaar Malls, said Emaar Malls Group is also considering acquisitions as part of its plans to open 150 shopping centres in the Gulf, China and India in 10 years.
Emke launches credit card
Dubai-based Emke Group, which runs 64 hypermarkets across the GCC, has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank to launch a co-branded credit card. The new co-branded credit card, which is likely to be launched and offered to customers early next year, will offer many new and unique features with a host of benefits jointly offered by both Emke Group's retail outlets and ADCB.
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