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.

Kuwait’s Kout Buys British Roadside Dining Chain Little Chef For $23m

The Kuwaiti form bought Little Chef from private equity firm RCapital.

Dubai’s New Design District Attracting International Designers

The emirate’s recently launched project is receiving strong interest from designers, design academies and boutique hotels, says developer.

Saudi Food Sales To Hit $70bn By 2016

A growing population and increased consumer spending are expected to drive the Kingdom’s food and agricultural sectors.

Qatar Luxury Group To Launch Boutique

The boutique, for its luxury brand Qela, will launch in Doha in late September and will sell leather goods, shoes, jewellery and clothing.

Saudi Dairy Firm Almarai Eyes Hybrid Sukuk

The offering, which is not imminent, is likely to be denominated in Saudi riyals.

Dubai Consumer Complaints Rise Sharply In H1 2013

The services sector, along with the electronics sector, accounted for over half the increases in consumer complaints this year.

Dubai’s Retail Sector Drives Growth During Q1

Industry, finance, transportation, real estate and construction are some of the other key sectors driving economic growth in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Food Prices Rise 1.9% During Ramadan

Despite government efforts, food prices are rising throughout the Holy month with coffee, tea and cocoa up by 5.4 per cent since Ramadan began.

Dubai Mall, MOE To Keep Major Market Share Despite Mall Boom

Secondary malls, like Discovery Gardens Centre, will come as a relief as retail space at the major malls faces high demand.

Dubai Commands 30% Of ME Luxury Market Share

The affinity towards luxurious brands and intra-region tourism has helped boost the luxury goods market in the emirate.

Foreign Companies “Don’t Understand” MENA Market

A retail expert from Manchester Business School, Dubai, warns foreign businesses to take their expansion plans seriously.

Dubai’s MAF Plans Dhs3bn Expansion To Malls, Hotels

Majid Al Futtaim plans to launch two new hotels and upgrade Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre and build a new cinema complex.

Baskin-Robbins Opens 650th Middle East Store

The opening also marked the U.S.-brand’s 34th year in the UAE as figures show it occupies 69 per cent of the local market share.

Can Dubai Truly Become A Global Fashion Hub By 2020?

Experts believe the emirate has what it takes to achieve its ambitious goal.

Dubai Aims To Become Global Fashion Hub By 2020

The emirate, which recently announced a new design district, has now signed an agreement to create ‘Dubai Fashion 2020.’

Max Burger In Dubai: Taking A Big Bite

Richard Bergfors, CEO of the Swedish chain Max Burger, which recently launched in Dubai, tells Aarti Nagraj why he is confident of success.

UAE’s Sharaf Retail To Hire 1,500 Staff In 18 Months

The company, which operates brands such as Sharaf DG and Forever 21, is rapidly expanding across the region.

Reviving The Intimacy Of The Shopping Experience

Dubai Summer Surprises offers an opportunity to woo new customers, writes James Tracy-Inglis, managing director at Saatchi and Saatchi X

Dubai’s Ruler Announces New Fashion District

The ‘Dubai Design District’, located adjacent to the Business Bay area, will aim to become a full service commercial hub for the industry.

Heat-Resistant Chocolate Within Reach – Cadbury Maker

Mondelez International’s president for EEMEA said the maker of Oreo cookies has spent at least ten years on research.

Dubai Retailer MAF Delays Hybrid Bond Sale Citing Weak Market

The Majid Al Futtaim group planned to partly finance the $683 million acquisition of Carrefour’s stake through a hybrid bond.

Tom & Jerry, Batman Perfumes To Hit UAE Shelves

Warner Bros licenses regional operator to market the themed fragrances in the Middle East.

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim Eyes $1bn Investments

The developer of shopping malls will go on a roadshow to raise money from institutional investors for the purchase of a minority share in Carrefour.

Top 10 Retail Brands That Launched In Dubai In 2012

Up to 25 new international retailers opened their stores in the emirate last year.

Carrefour Sells Stake In Middle East Venture To MAF For $683m

Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets operates 50 hypermarkets and 44 supermarkets under the Carrefour name.

Dubai Is World’s Fourth ‘Hottest’ Retail Market

The emirate welcomed 25 new retailers last year, says new study by CBRE.

Regional Exclusive: Armani Profit Up 20%

China and Europe boosted Italian fashion giant’s revenues to $2.7 billion in 2012.