Dubai’s Al Tayer group launches online luxury retail platform

Ounass.com will cater to customers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Qatar launches month-long shopping festival

The event will feature shopping promotions, cash prizes worth up to QAR4m and special offers on flights and hotel bookings

Pictures: Qatar’s largest mall opens in Doha

The $1.48bn Mall of Qatar has faced many delays

Gulf e-commerce begins its next chapter

The $1bn launch of Noon.com is an indication of the big money now at stake in the Middle East’s booming e-commerce market

India’s Bisleri plans to tap into regional markets

The company plans to have a presence in at least three countries in the region by 2020

Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall to undergo $817m extension

The expansion will add new leasing space, parking and a food court

Dubai’s Landmark Group launches seven new e-commerce sites for its brands

The retail group has also unveiled iPhone and Android apps for each brand

Dubai’s Alabbar in $138.5m JV deal with luxury e-retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter

The new company will initially operate in the GCC

Echo

Amazon in talks to buy Souq.com for about $1bn – report

Amazon is mulling a bid to acquire the entire site, according to a report

Wellness watch brand Philip Stein plans five Middle East boutiques

Co-founder and president Will Stein said the brand was also expanding in hotels, gyms and salons

Dubai’s Nakheel opens 11km Boardwalk at Palm Jumeirah

The promenade will feature fitness facilities and retail outlets including food trucks

Dubai launches new shopping sale for National Day

Retail outlets will offer shoppers discounts of between 30 – 90 per cent

Souq CEO not worried by $1bn rival Noon.com as sales weekend approaches

Ronaldo Mouchawar said he was confident the company would “always have a huge share” of the e-commerce market

Zara, Promod to open at Abu Dhabi’s $1bn Reem Mall

Construction on the mall began in 2015 and it is expected to open in 2018

Kuwait’s Americana posts 85.8% Q3 net profit jump

The firm attributed its profit to the positive impact on its earnings from an asset disposal

UAE coffee brand launches new franchise concept

Last year the company opened the largest roasting plant in the UAE

Dubai’s Emaar Malls Q3 net profit rises 16%

Emaar Malls reported a net profit of Dhs435m ($118.4m) in the three months to September 30

Saudi to allow women to work in pharmacies, optical stores

Despite the lifting of restrictions, women will still be unable to work alongside men

Amazon considers bid for Souq.com stake – report

The company last secured new investment in February

UAE e-commerce site Mini Exchange closes $3m funding round

The company said it would use the funds to launch an app and expand into new markets

Dubai’s Nakheel adds rooftop pool club to upcoming Circle Mall

The mall is one of two Nakheel is developing in Jumeirah Village Circle and Triangle

Plans for $300m Dubai Cityland Mall revealed

The mall is claimed to be the first in the world inspired by nature

GCC firm Adeptio completes $2.4bn Americana stake buy

Americana owns the Middle East franchises for fast food chains KFC and Pizza Hut

Dubai’s RTA to enable retail transactions using metro cards

The scheme will be rolled out in Dubai from next year

New mall, hotel to open in Dubai’s Motor City next year

The Dhs500m First Avenue Mall and Hotel will be located at the edge of the Dubai Autodrome

Souq.com invests in grocery app InstaShop

Souq said it planned to boost its grocery and FMCG business

All Qatari shops, service providers must employ Arabic speakers

The regulation is expected to impact retailers, hotels, help lines, beauty salons and service centres

Pictures: Dubai’s Nakheel launches Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah

The Dhs120m beachfront project includes seven cafes and restaurants as well as 33 studio units

Opening of $1.48bn Mall of Qatar pushed back

The delay is to ensure “key offerings and facilities will be available”, according to reports

Kuwait’s stock exchange to sell Americana shares on Oct. 20

Alabbar-led investment group Adeptio agreed in June to pay $2.4bn to buy a 69 per cent stake in Americana