#Retail

sharjah summer promotions 2023 begins on July 1 Image courtesy WAM -e1674191212440

Shopping festival: Sharjah Summer Promotions begins, up to 75% in discounts

Considered one of the key events in Sharjah’s annual retail calendar, the 65-day shopping festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year

bu Dhabi GDP growth in Q1 2023 GettyImages-1316754718

Abu Dhabi GDP shows 3.9% growth in Q1 2023: SCAD

According to SCAD estimates, Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP (at constant prices) surpassed the highest quarterly value of the past nine years, reaching Dhs146bn in Q1 2023

Eid Al Adha Mega Sales Fair 2023 returns to Sharjah Image WAM.jpg

Sharjah’s Eid Al Adha Mega Sales Fair 2023 returns; discounts up to 70-80% on offer

The fair is open from 11am to 11pm at the Expo Centre Sharjah

Majid Al Futtaim x Tabby to introduce flexible payment solutions Image Majid Al Futtaim

Majid Al Futtaim, Tabby to introduce flexible payment solutions

The collaboration will further enable customers to better manage their spending and make purchases more conveniently both in-store and online

Xpressions Style

Xpressions Style presents ‘Back to Home’ warehouse sale

The sale will feature products including cosmetics, fragrances, skincare essentials, haircare items and fashion accessories

Kunal Badiani on b uilding brand loyalty with AI-led CEPs

Insights: Customer engagement platforms are key to brand loyalty

Here’s how Middle Eastern brands can leverage AI-driven customer engagement platforms to build loyalty and conversion during challenging conditions

Ali Sajwani MD operations and tech DAMAC Group Image Mark Mathew MMG

Cover feature: DAMAC Group’s Ali Sajwani on the company’s journey of transformation

The group’s managing director – operations and technology shares the next chapter of growth planned for the Dubai-based conglomerate 

B Store launched by AstraTech Image Astra tech

Now pay for groceries using facial recognition at Astra Tech’s new B Store

Astra Tech has launched its first autonomous shopping store in Abu Dhabi’s Sky Tower, which operates solely using artificial intelligence

Tamimi markets sells 30% stake to PIF

Saudi wealth fund PIF to acquire 30% stake in Tamimi Markets

The deal is aimed at supporting Tamimi Markets’ growth plans including a potential initial public offering

micky jagtiani image credit Landmark group

Dubai’s Landmark Group founder Micky Jagtiani passes away

A constant innovator, the Indian billionaire created and led more than 27 diverse brand concepts

Mall of the emirates 3 day super sale is back phot courtesy: Mall of the Emirates Majid al futtaim

Dubai’s 3 Day Super Sale is back, with discounts up to 90% up for grabs

The three-day super sale (3DSS) will run from May 26 to 28

Alan

Alan’s corner: The tipping point

A strategic offering of in-store and online shopping experiences can help retailers stay relevant in current times

Chatbots

Chatbots: The key to delivering everything, everywhere, all at once

AI-powered chatbots have an exceptional track record of enhancing customer interactions, and that record includes measurable and attributable increases to revenue

EMAAR DOWNTOWN_DUBAI

Emaar records net profit rise of 43% to Dhs3.2bn for Q1 2023

Emaar’s group property sales reached Dhs9.2bn, an 11 per cent increase compared to Q1 2022

Apparel Group

Apparel Group expands presence in Kuwait with 12 new store openings

The line-up of stores feature brands such as Birkenstock, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Dune London, Levi’s, The Children’s Place, Steve Madden, among others

Carter & White

Emirati brand Carter & White raises Dhs40m in Series A funding

The funding will be invested to attract a new segment in regional retail markets including UAE, Saudi Arabia, other GCC countries and eventually Europe

Aldar and Mubadala to work on developing Al Maryah Island Photo

Aldar Properties, Mubadala to jointly develop commercial tower on Al Maryah Island

Upon completion of the initial office tower’s construction, which is expected by the end of 2026, the property will be managed by Aldar Investment

MENA e-commerce trends GettyImages-157027870

Total e-commerce market value in MENA region to surpass $57bn by 2026

The MENA region’s total e-commerce market size reached $37bn in 2022, with a double-digit growth rate from 2021

retail summit

Global, regional retail giants converge on Dubai for The Retail Summit

The summit supports international brands looking to either establish an in-market presence or sell via cross-border ecommerce to the UAE

GMG's new Africa HQ in District 5, Cairo

UAE’s GMG opens new office in District 5, Cairo

By 2025, GMG aims to double its global workforce through acquisitions, developing fresh concepts and entering new geographies

Harrods _ Supplied

Interview: Harrods MD Michael Ward on luxe retail trends

The managing director of the UK-based luxury department store shares how the store is adapting to changing consumer expectations, the Luxury for Life initiative and Harrods Hive

Dubai's Emaar announces net profit rise of 80% to Dhs6.8bn, riding on record property sales

Dubai’s Emaar sees 80% net profit rise to Dhs6.8bn, supported by record property sales

Emaar’s group property sales in 2022 reached $9.5bn, primarily driven by new project launches

Majid

UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim launches Mall of the Metaverse

The mall is in the initial phase of development and will open to visitors after multiple stages of testing

mall of oman opening by Majid Al Futtaim

Majid Al Futtaim officially inaugurates Mall of Oman 

Mall of Oman, which had a soft launch in September 2021, is home to Snow Oman – the largest snow park in the region, Oman’s largest VOX Cinemas and 260 international and local retail outlets

UAE's GMG acquires Aswaaq to expand retail footprint

UAE’s GMG acquires Aswaaq to expand retail footprint

The acquisition adds a total of 11 community malls and 22 supermarkets to GMG’s retail network

Majid Al Futtaim

Power Letters 2023: Fahed Ghanim, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim – Lifestyle

As we look to the year ahead, we will undoubtedly see ‘moments’ become the currency of customer experience

Carrefour Bahrain_Self Checkout

Carrefour brings self-checkout service to Bahrain

A hand-held device, simple to use with a bank card or smartphone, allows customers to scan and bag purchases

Apparel Group and Project Chaiwala

Apparel Group, UAE home-grown concept Project Chaiwala sign partnership

Apparel Group’s five-year plan is to grow the Project Chaiwala brand by increasing its retail footprint across the GCC

Majid Al Futtaim and Poltrona Frau sign strategic partnership

Majid Al Futtaim, Italian luxury brand Poltrona Frau announce strategic partnership

Founded in 1912 in Turin, Italy, Poltrona Frau is known for its 21-step tanning process to create enduring leather items

GMG establishes its Asian headquarters in Malaysia to pursue further expansion and growth in SEA

GMG to ramp up growth in Southeast Asia, aims to launch 100 stores by 2025

The company has opened 31 stores across Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia since entering the SEA market in 2020