Saudi to ban foreign workers from grocery shop jobs

The Ministry of Labour expects the change to create thousands of jobs for Saudis

Alabbar’s Noon hires former Namshi managing director as CEO

Faraz Khalid will take the reins following the departure of previous CEO Fodhil Benturquia

Dubai Duty Free says sales beat Apple’s best store

DDF sales per square metre are higher than the Apple store in New York, according to a company study

Dubai’s Nol cards can now be used for payment at 1,000 retail units

The network of retailers accepting Nol cards is projected to exceed 5,000 by the end of this year

Qatar mall’s $1bn-plus loan refinancing frozen amid GCC rift -sources

The refinancing of the $1bn loan by Doha Festival City was being coordinated by investment bank QInvest

E-commerce having a ‘major’ impact on Dubai’s retail sector

E-commerce set to account for 10 per cent of Dubai’s total retail trade within the “next few years”

Amazon completes acquisition of Dubai’s Souq.com

Amazon users can now use their details to log on to Souq.com

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim acquires Geant supermarket franchise owner Retail Arabia

The deal will see Retail Arabia’s Geant stores rebranded under MAF’s Carrefour franchise

Dubai Summer Surprises to begin next month, will offer sales of up to 75%

Three free concerts will also be held during the six-week DSS

Alabbar-backed VC fund MEVP invests in Turkish fashion retailer Modacruz

An funding round led by MEVP invested $2m in mobile marketplace Modacruz

Dubai’s Nakheel releases construction tender for Nad Al Sheba Mall

The mall is the centrepiece of the developer’s under-construction Nad Al Sheba community

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim signs franchise deal with homeware brand Maisons du Monde

The deal marks MAF’s further entry into the homeware category after signing a franchise deal with US brand Crate and Barrel

Saudi retailer Danube to hire 1,000 people as it launches new e-commerce app

The new e-commerce platform for grocery is expected to go live next week

Nestlé confident about Middle East market despite current instability

The company officially opened its 18th factory in the region in Dubai last month

Dubai’s Marka appoints new CEO

Marka’s former CEO Nick Peel resigned from his position in December 2016

Emaar Malls to acquire 51% stake in Gulf e-commerce site Namshi

Both sides have agreed to jointly develop the company until a possible listing

Dubai and Doha among the top four markets for new retail brands

Both markets saw dozens of new entrants last year

First phase of $106m expansion to RAK’s Manar Mall almost complete

The first phase is due to be completed before end of the second quarter

JadoPado founder resigns from role as chief technology officer at Noon.com

JadoPado was acquired by a tech fund led by Mohamed Alabbar earlier this month

CEO of Alabbar-backed e-commerce site Noon quits ahead of its launch

Chief executive Fodhil Benturquia was among the staff to leave in recent weeks, sources said

Dubai’s Emaar opens new mega mall in Istanbul

The mall is projected to be welcome 25 million visitors annually

Dubai bans disposable phone chargers

Companies have been given a month to halt the sale of disposable chargers

Dubai’s Alabbar says Noon ‘on track’ to launch in 2017, will move base to Riyadh

The $1bn e-commerce site was slated to launch in the UAE in January

Al Maha Nestle 1

Nestle officially opens Dhs530m Nescafe, Maggi factory in Dubai South

The Al Maha facility is Nestle’s 18th factory in the Middle East

New shopping centre opens in Dubai’s Jumeirah

The Mall spans two floors and houses more than 65 stores.

Dubai’s Nakheel starts leasing at Nad Al Sheba Mall

The 1.2 million sq ft mall will have 200 shops, restaurants and entertainment outlets

A wakeup call for GCC retail

Amid shifting consumer habits and the imminent arrival of Amazon, Gulf retailers are warned to adapt or face a similar fate to their global peers

Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein brand owner to open dozens of new GCC stores

The company said it sees the GCC as an “expansion” region for its brands despite difficult conditions

UAE website JadoPado acquired by Dubai billionaire Alabbar-led tech fund

The $1bn tech fund was launched in August by a consortium of investors led by Alabbar

New Dhs2.6bn mega mall set to open in Sharjah by 2020

City Centre Al Zahia will offer 136,200 sqm of gross leasable area, with over 360 retail brands