Starwood, MAF Sign Deal To Open Westin, Le Meridien Hotels In Bahrain

Both the hotels are scheduled to open in July 2014.

Kuwait’s Americana Chairman Says Not Aware Of Potential Sale

Sources had said that Kuwait’s billionaire al-Kharafi family was looking to sell Americana and had hired bankers to explore a deal.

Saudi’s Jarir Q1 Net Up 11.3% Despite Slower Sales Growth

Jarir made 201.3 million riyals ($53.7 million) in the first three months of 2014.

UAE’s Retail Sector Set For E-Commerce Explosion- Experts

Tech-savvy consumers will drive the growth of e-commerce in the country’s retail sector.

Five minutes with… Mazen El Zein, CEO And Founder, Crystal Group

Mazen El Zein, CEO and founder of Crystal Group, shares his insight into the UAE nightlife scene and the company’s planned venue launches this year.

UAE’s MAF Reports 11% Growth In Pre-Tax Profits

The company reported that its EBITDA grew 11 per cent to reach Dhs3.3 billion in 2013.

Dubai Nightlife Bubble Forming: Crystal Chief

Regional club owner expresses concern about the number of new night leisure venues opening in the emirate.

Saudi Bans Men From Selling Perfumes And Cosmetics To Women

Only female staff will be allowed to work in stores selling women’s products by October 2016, local media reported.

Nakheel Announces Two New Shopping Malls In Jumeirah Village

A one million sq ft mall in Jumeirah Village Triangle will feature a 15-screen cinema, a hypermarket and entertainment options.

Just Falafel Opens First Australian Outlet

The 1,291 square-foot restaurant will be located in Parramatta, Sydney, the company said in a statement.

Two Abu Dhabi Banks Vie For Barclays UAE Retail Ops – Sources

The lenders – Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank – are now the frontrunners to acquire the business.

UAE’s BinHendi Hospitality Expands Partnership With PepsiCo

PepsiCo SSFL will supply its premium salty snack in all BinHendi food and beverage outlets across the UAE.

Dubai Emaar’s Retail Spin-Off Plan Won’t Affect Rating – S&P

Emaar’s strong reputation with investors for delivering projects, plus the fact it has collected healthy deposits on the off-plan developments, meant it was very cash-rich.

Majid Al Futtaim To Invest Dhs750m In VOX Cinemas Expansion

VOX plans to open five new cinemas in addition to its existing project pipeline.

Dubai’s Emaar Expects Listing Of Retail Unit Within Months -Chairman

Emaar is in the final stages of discussions with banks on the best way to conduct the listing, according to its chairman Mohammed Alabbar.

Dubai Mall Displays 155 Million Year-Old Dinosaur

The specimen, a late Jurassic period dinosaur, is 24.4 metres long and 7.6 metres high and is expected to boost the mall’s footfall.

Dubai Design District Records High Investor Interest

The district will help Dubai earn around Dhs300 billion in tourism revenues per year by 2020, the developer says.

Saudi Retailer Alhokair Eyes US, UK Buys; Plans Debut Sukuk

Alhokair completed the purchase of Spanish clothing brand Blanco last month for 11 million euros.

UAE’s Retail Sector To Grow 33% By 2015

Dubai’s retail industry is one of the most lucrative sectors for foreign investment, according to a new report.

Emaar To Open New Reel Cinemas Complex In Dubai Marina

The new cinema complex is located at ‘The Beach’, a retail destination being developed by Meraas Holding in Dubai Marina.

Majid Al Futtaim Launches First Community Mall In Dubai

The mall will be built in phases with the first phase measuring almost 300,000 square feet.

Dubai’s MAF Launches Community Mall In Sharjah

My City Centre, Nasseriya in Sharjah, an investment worth Dhs84 million, will cater to smaller residential communities.

Abu Dhabi’s Al Khalidiyah Mall To Open New Samsung, Victoria’s Secret Stores

Al Khalidiyah Mall has launched a new 3D cinema and a bowling alley in addition to opening new international branded stores.

Shell Sells Italian Retail Business To Kuwait Petroleum

Shell’s Italian retail network will be rebranded Q8 as part of the agreement, the company said.

Nakheel Says Retailers Book 40% Of New Mall On The Palm

The developer confirmed that 120 retailers have booked spaces at Nakheel Mall.

Babyshop To Open 15 New UAE Outlets By 2016

The kids’ retail store, part of the Landmark Group, currently operates 40 stores in the UAE.

Pictures: Mall Of The Emirates New Fashion District Launch

The Fashion District, unveiled on Monday, is the first phase of the mall’s Dhs1billion redevelopment programme.

Mall of The Emirates Unveils Fashion District, Eyes New Hotel

The Dubai-based mall is undergoing a massive Dhs1 billion redevelopment programme.

Dubai’s Coffee Shops Rated ‘Most Consumer Friendly’

Dubai’s retail units were assessed based on their efficiency in complaints resolution, fair pricing policies and customer opinions.

Retail Banking To Outpace Corporate Banking In The GCC

The GCC’s young population, economic well-being and a steadily rising GDP per capita will boost retail banking.