Dubai

Dubai Developments Group offers tenants rent relief of upto six months

The package is valued at Dhs200m and expected to benefit over 1,500 businesses

Dreamscape, Magic Planet, Little Explorers and iFly Dubai reopen in Dubai from July 4

It follows earlier reopenings of MAF’s entertainment experiences across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon

Festival Souk

UAE’s Al-Futtaim announces discounts at new Festival Souk

The Festival Souk will be operating at both Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Festival Plaza

Saudi clothing retailer Alhokair cuts staff pay

The retailer reported a full-year loss of $182m after a profit year ago

Dubai Summer Surprises festival

Dubai Summer Surprises dates announced

The full calendar of events will be announced ahead of the festival, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment confirmed on Monday

Luxury retailer in Kuwait hires Citigroup to advise on options

The company was valued at about $500m in a 2019 funding round

Majid Al Futtaim reopens more cinemas, entertainment destinations across UAE

VOX Cinemas at Al Hamra Mall, Ras Al Khaimah will reopen on June 23, while VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet at City Centre Sharjah will resume on June 24

GCC retail sector will see 15.7% YoY growth, according to Alpen Capital

Covid-19 impact: How should retail respond to the fourth industrial revolution?

As a new wave of technology signals further changes to our lives and the regional ecosystem, how should sectors such as retail adapt?

Amazon Saudi Arabia

Amazon Saudi Arabia officially launched to replace Souq.com

The Amazon Prime service is not yet available in the kingdom

L’Oréal Middle East launches programme to support UAE’s Covid-19 relief efforts

More than 84,000 essential and personal care products worth Dhs4m have been donated to NGOs and hospitals

Careem

Careem launches ‘super app’ to offer ride-hailing, delivery and payments on one platform

The roll-out of the super app started in March 2020 and is expected to complete by the end of June 2020

UAE online fashion platform Nisnass closing down, confirms Al Tayer Group

The estimated final trading date will be July 16

GCC retail sector will see 15.7% YoY growth, according to Alpen Capital

How should regional and global retailers weather the Covid-19 crisis?

Retailers regionally and globally have been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. What are the steps they should take to stay protected?

Etihad

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways, Aldar Properties sign retail agreement

To earn and spend miles, shoppers must connect their Visa card to their Etihad Guest mobile app

Dubai’s City Centre Deira to open renovated East Court amid Dhs377m redevelopment project

The redevelopment project is in response to a shift in consumer preferences for personalisation and engaging experiences

Meraas to become part of conglomerate Dubai Holding

The combined conglomerate will operate across real estate, tourism, hospitality, leisure and entertainment and investments

Emirates Online Store

Skyward miles can now be used to purchase Emirates-branded merchandise from Dubai

Members can also earn Skywards Miles while shopping, with 1 Mile earned for every $1 spent

Dubai Duty Free partially reopens airport retail area as airlines resume services

The airport retailers plans to reopen operations in Terminal 2 later this week

Consumer experiences remain pivotal for post-pandemic retail

With the future of retail touted as an omnichannel experience, Gulf retailers in the post-pandemic world must strive to engage customers on all levels

Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar

“Time to be bold” – Emaar’s Mohamed Alabbar tells UAE retailers

The chairman told retailers to fast track digital plans, customer experience, loyalty, efficiency and business diversification initiatives

Spinneys introduces incubator for micro F&B suppliers in UAE

Via the incubator programme, micro F&B businesses will be given the opportunity to list their product at Spinneys for a year with no start-up fees

Dubai’s Meraas offers contactless ‘Curbside Pickup’ service for customers

Participating retailers include Mitts and Trays, BLK Cab Coffee, Catch 22, Aprons & Hammers, Eggspectations, and Urban Seafood, among others

Dubai’s MAF to open cinemas, entertainment destinations from May 27

This move is in line with the recent ruling permitting businesses in Dubai to gradually reopen

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala to waive Q2 rent for retail tenants at its Galleria mall

The Galleria mall reopened and welcomed guests earlier this month

Facebook Shops

Facebook, Instagram unveil ‘Shops’ platform to facilitate e-commerce

The new product will be introduced this summer in the US, and will be subsequently rolled out in other markets worldwide

Saudi Arabia

Saudi declares complete curfew across the kingdom during Eid Al Fitr holidays

Until May 22, residents can continue to move freely between 9am-5pm in the regions where the curfew has been eased

Dubai reveals ‘reopening’ plan post Ramadan for malls, offices

Malls will be allowed to stay open longer but restrictions on children, elderly to continue

Abu Dhabi launches digital service for rent refunds on commercial leases

The new online service has been activated in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim to launch City Centre Al Zahia in March 2021

The upcoming mall spans 136,200 sqm of gross leasable space and will become the largest mall in the Northern Emirates once inaugurated

Dubai’s Damas Jewellery appoints new chairman and CEO

Perramond replaces Damas’ first female CEO, Asil Attar, who was appointed to the role in February last year