Region's first e-shopping mall launches in the UAE

With DED accredited retailers across the Computers & Electronics; Fashion; Furniture, Home & Garden; Health & Beauty and Sport categories, the website enables retailers to reach a wide audience while allowing global, regional and local consumers access to a broad range of products across an assortment of brands.

"Retail drives a large percentage of the Dubai's economic growth: according to the latest figures announced by the Department of Economic Development, it accounted for nearly 12% of Dubai's GDP over the last ten years. By taking the offerings of our malls and retail spaces online, we are taking consumer engagement to an advanced, global level and opening up a new avenue not just for established retailers but also for small and middle-sized local business looking to break into the retail arena," said Mohammed Sharaf, Chairman, Tejuri.

With internet usage within the region growing by 1500%* over the last decade due to an internet-savvy young population, eCommerce has been steadily on the rise in the GCC. With one of the highest global per capita internet penetration levels, the GCC's online spending potential is quickly emerging as one of the highest in the world. In 2012, $3.2bn was spent by online shoppers in the GCC, underscoring the rising potential for retail on a virtual platform.

"Tejuri.com is a natural extension of Dubai's world-class retail industry. People flock to our malls as we offer a large selection of products in a variety of brands and Tejuri allows consumers to tap into the same products and services, with the click of a button. By offering such variety in choice, we are able to replicate and enhance the mall experience, providing consumers with a shopping experience that is convenient and secure," stated Ayaz Maqbool, Managing Director, Tejuri.

"In parallel, retailers are attracted by the considerably lower capital investment and wide customer base compared with a bricks-and-mortar mall. eCommerce provides an ideal solution for brands looking to expand beyond their traditional customer base."

The website, created following extensive research into the current purchasing behavior of the regional market and its growth potential, aligns retailer sales targets with consumer needs. Brands that register on the site are provided with a web store in an online mall environment with operations, customer service and delivery supported by Tejuri.

The online shopping mall also uses a safe and trusted eCommerce platform and provides brands the opportunity to showcase their entire inventory, enabling smarter shopping opportunities for the consumer.

Tejuri.com provides 24-hour customer service for shoppers and technical support for retailers, transit insurance and delivery process, secure online payment gateway and no capital expenditure for IT infrastructure. Tejuri is fully supported by Dubai's Department of Economic Development and all Tejuri retailers are DED registered and comply with the Consumer Code of Rights issued by the Ministry of Economy.

Tejuri currently has signed up with over 40 international and local retailers that represent over 150 brands. This roster of web stores include popular stores such as Sharaf DG, Reebok, Marina Exotic Home Interiors, Jumbo, Eros, THEFACESHOP, Al Jaber Opticals, National Stores, Grand Optics, Springfield, Triumph, Sanrio, Al Motahajiba, and Al Thawb Al Watani as well as locally-based businesses such as Sew It and Bulino.