2007
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Borders opens first store in Oman
US superstore Borders has opened it first store in Oman. The new branch, which will be located in Muscat City Centre, will have over 70,000 book titles and the latest music and movie releases. Al Maya Group, a diversified corporation headquartered in the UAE, opened the store under a franchise agreement with Borders Inc., a subsidiary of global book, music and movie retailer Borders Group, Inc.
Costa to add 300 stores in Gulf
Costa Coffee plans to open an additional 300 stores in the Middle East and will soon have more stores in the UAE than Starbucks, reported Gulf News. The company is also looking for new ways to reach customers, including drive-thrus, petrol stations, airports, and will also be available in monorail stations when the Dubai Metro opens. Costa currently has stores in all six GCC countries and all the Arab countries in the Levant region.
Ferrari store in Abu Dhabi
Italian car maker Ferrari has opened a retail outlet at Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. The store, which covers 1,116 sqft, will offer Ferrari merchandise such as clothing, accessories, toys and publications. A joint venture company established between Al Fahim Enterprises and Aldar Properties will manage the store, which is Ferrari's 18th worldwide.
Christie's generates $31.7m
Christie's two auctions at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel last week generated sales of $31.7m, reported the local WAM news agency. The second auction, on November 1, of jewellery and watches saw the Middle East provide 34% of buyers, with 25% coming from the UAE. 28% of buyers were European with half of these coming from the UK.
2XL to Abu Dhabi Mall
French furniture and home ware retailer 2XL has opened its fourth showroom in the UAE on the third floor of the Abu Dhabi Mall. The firm is tied in with the Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society as part of a franchise agreement and it also has outlets at Al Ghurair City and uptown Mirdiff in Dubai and the Mina Centre in Abu Dhabi. 2XL is hoping to have eight showrooms in the UAE by the end of 2009.
Desert Challenge concludes
France's Stephane Peterhansel, alongside co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret, has won the five day UAE Desert Challenge in a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution, reported Gulf News. It was Peterhansel's fourth victory in the race which was led in its early stages by Qatar's Nasser Al Attiyah. Meanwhile, Spain's Marc Coma took the motorbike category.
Ecco enters Egypt
Ecco, one of the world's leading footwear brands has opened its first franchised concept stores in Egypt. The stores will be located in Cairo at the City Stars Mall and Maadi Grand Mall. Jens Hattab, Chief Executive of Ecco Middle East, said eight more stores are planned for Egypt in the next two years.
Jagtiani plans bid for Saks
Micky Jagtiani, the chairman of Dubai-based Landmark Group, is planning to take part in a joint bid for Saks Inc, which operates the luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue, reported Gulf News. Jagtiani is expected to act independently as a private investor, rather than under the Landmark Group, in a bid with Icelandic investor Baugur Group, which focuses on retail, property and media in Iceland, the UK and Scandinavia.
Tea prices cut in cafes
Municipal authorities in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah have ordered all restaurants and cafeterias to roll back the price of tea to 50 fils from Dhs1 after the outlets had arbitrarily raised the price twice in the last few weeks, reported Gulf News. A senior municipal official said the eateries had no right to increase the price 100% in the space of a few weeks without consulting or notifying the concerned authorities.
Christie's expects record sale
Christie's will be selling $30m worth of international and western art including jewels at its forthcoming auctions to be staged in Dubai at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers hotel on October 31 and November 1 at 6.30 pm, respectively. Middle East residents will be among the first to see an additional $21.4m of international jewellery and impressionist picture highlights that will be exhibited in the UAE ahead of Christie's sales in Geneva and London later in the year.
Seafood expo opens in Dubai
Sea Food Expo 2007 opened today at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dubai to showcase regional and international companies' products and developments in technology, equipment and services in the seafood market. About 85 international exhibitors from 16 countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Taiwan, UK, China, India, the Philippines, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, Maldives, Papua New Guinea and Mauritius are participating in the event.
No price hike for UAE consumers
The Consumer Protection Committee in the UAE has rejected any increase in the prices of fast food meals, rice and cement, reported WAM. The announcement came during the committee's meeting. The committee had rejected the proposed increase in the prices of Basmati rice, and asked Oasis Water company to reduce the price of its water being produced in the UAE.
Bonhams opens in Dubai
International fine art auction house Bonhams has opened its first Middle East sales office in Juemeirah. Bonhams Dubai is a joint venture with the locally-based Al Tajir family. Two Bonhams auction sales are planned each year, with the first set for Dubai in 2008.
ADCOOPS seeks ties in Europe
Abu Dhabi Co-operative Society (ADCOOPS) announced it is exploring possible strategic agreements with European retailers and manufacturers. ADCOOPS held talks with business peers in the UK after attending the Anuga Fine Food Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany. ADCOOPS currently commands an estimated 43% share of the Abu Dhabi retail market.
Right to Play in Dubai
The Right To Play (RTP) has recently launched its sport and fitness programs in public schools in Dubai. This initiative is part of HRH Princess Haya's goals to enhance education outcomes in Dubai and is the first initiative of its kind in the region. RTP is an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play as a tool for development of children and youth around the world.
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