Middle East Sunglasses – A Saturated Market?

Marco Bonapace, founder of Vision EyeWear, explains how boutique brands can crack the sunglasses market.

Cobone Rebrands Its Travel Arm As Triperna

Cobone is looking to tap into the Gulf’s booming online travel industry by offering greater features.

Dubai’s The Entertainer Launches Mobile App

The Entertainer has been on a major expansion drive following investment by Abraaj Capital.

UAE’s Smartphone Usage Drives Mobile Retail Growth

With the number of UAE smartphone users on the rise, opportunities for mobile retail is growing.

Dubai Holding Arm Plans To Sell Stake In Rivoli Group

Dubai International Capital is in negotiations to sell its 18 per cent stake in Rivoli Group to Saudi-based Al Rajhi Capital, say sources

World Trade Center Mall Opens In Abu Dhabi

The new mall features 160 shops, over 20 dining outlets and an eight-screen cinema.

Kuwaiti Conglomerate Buys Red Bull Distributor In UAE

Mezzan is buying Unitra Mets Group (UMG) from Abu Dhabi-based Invest AD

The UAE’s Retail Battle

Abu Dhabi is significantly ramping up its retail offering and may even steal market share away from Dubai.

The Changing Landscape of Saudi Arabia’s F&B Industry

International food event to showcase Kingdom’s market potential.

UAE Start-Up GlamBox Secures $1.36m Funding

The new financing will be used to speed up plans for regional expansion, with GlamBox hoping to deliver its first products to Saudi before the end of the year.

Dubai’s Revamped Al Ghurair Centre To Open On Oct 1

The Deira-based mall will feature over 130 new stores including Marks & Spencer, Mango and Omega.

Majid Al Futtaim Waits For Stability In Egypt, Syria

MAF had a Carrefour store in Aleppo shut down as a result of the violence in Syria.

UAE’s Airport Retail Industry Rakes In Revenues

The UAE’s airport retail sector has benefitted heavily from increased passenger traffic in the country.

US-Based Mooyah Fast Food Chain Launches In The UAE

The restaurant will be owned and operated by franchise partner Awgal investments and Menfex, the brand developer for Mooyah.

UAE’s Just Falafel To Launch IPO On Nasdaq Dubai By October

The fast food chain is reportedly looking to offload around 25 per cent of its shares.

Qatar Looking Less Likely To Bid For Versace – Sources

Family-owned Italian fashion house Versace is looking to sell between 15 to 20 per cent to investors.

UAE’s Retail Market Attractive Despite High Rents

Average retail rental rates in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were $114 and $71 per square feet per annum respectively.

Dubai’s Mall Of The Emirates Plans Dhs1bn Redevelopment

The renovation project will include new shopping, dining and entertainment concepts.

GPHG To Make Middle East Debut In Dubai

The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève will showcase 70 of the finest watches in DIFC this October.

Booming Saudi Retail Market Fuels Alhokair Expansion Drive

Alhokair net profit rose nearly 37 per cent year on year in the three months to June 30.

Dubai Duty Free Names Banks To Arrange $750m Expansion Loan

The facility will be arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD and Standard Chartered.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2014 To Start January 2

The biggest shopping extravaganza in the Middle East attracted 4.66 million visitors last year.

Majid Al Futtaim To Raise $1.5bn Loan To Refinance Debt

The mall operator will use the $1.5 billion facility to replace revolving loans totalling $1 billion.

Yellow Cab Pizza Chain To Launch In UAE

The Philippines-based casual dining chain will open two outlets in Abu Dhabi this year.

First Look Pictures: The Galleria, Abu Dhabi’s New Luxury Mall

The luxurious destination features 100 retail and high-end F&B outlets spread across 33,000 sq metres.

Nakheel To Build Shopping Centre For Al Furjan Residents

A construction timeline for the proposed 30,000 square metre retail facility is yet to be announced.

Online Retailer Mumzworld Launches ‘Women-Only’ Investment Round

The region’s online mother and child website aims to attract female investors to online retail through the women-only investment round.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free H1 Revenues Outpace Passenger Growth

Abu Dhabi duty free revenues touched Dhs437.6 million in the first half of 2013, up 17.4 per cent from the same period last year.

Dubai’s MAF Signs JV With Gourmet Gulf, Enters F&B Market

Gourmet Gulf holds franchise rights for brands like California Pizza Kitchen, Morelli’s Gelato and YO! Sushi.

Costa Coffee To Introduce Camel Milk Drinks

The global coffee chain has introduced camel milk as an option for customers, as well as a new camel milk iced drink.