Archive for the ‘Shopping’ Category

Hamleys, the famous UK toy retailer, will open a store at the Dubai Mall later this year. The shop, their first in Dubai, will cover an area of 32,000 square feet and stock over 15,000 lines of toys.

Mr Gudjon Reynisson, Chief Executive Officer of Hamleys, said, ‘Dubai is a logical step in our global expansion programme, as a significant number of our current customers in the UK are visitors from the Middle East. We are sure our customers will love the magical and exciting elements of Hamleys, which guarantees the best of past, present and future for children - both young and old at heart.’

The Dubai Mall will open for business on October 30 2008.

Dubai Properties has announced that The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is now open for business. The 1.7 km long shopping promenade is currently home to more than 170 stores including Zadig, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nautica, Damas Jewellers, and Aiyanna of London. Once complete the outdoor retail avenue will feature over 300 shops.

Property developers Emaar has announced that the Dubai Mall will open on October 30 and not August 28 as reported earlier. The change of dates has been caused by delays in the construction of infrastructure facilities such as parking.

High-end store Saks Fifth Avenue has opened a 15,000 square foot men’s clothes shop at The Walk at the Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai. The store will complement their existing 80,000 square foot store at the Burjuman Centre which opened in 2004.

Lines offered include clothes from Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, John Glliano, and Ralph Lauren, leather goods from Prada and Tumi, watches by Parmigiani and Roger Dubuis, shoes, and fragrances.

The store offers personal shopping, luxurious fitting rooms, and a lounge with wireless internet access.

Dubai Municipality has outlawed cigarette sales to anybody under the age of 20. The ban takes place with immediate effect and was advertised yesterday in several Arabic-language newspapers. Young people are also barred from public areas where smoking is permitted.

Salem Mesmar, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Health, Safety and Environment Control Sector said, ‘Statistics show that three out of 10 people in the UAE smoke. There is an even greater danger from the passive or second-hand smoking.’

Leviev, the world’s largest cutter and polisher of diamonds, has announced it will be opening 2 luxury jewellery stores in Dubai later this year. The largest will be at the Dubai Mall, set to open in late August. A smaller boutique store will be housed in the lobby of Atlantis the Palm.

Emaar Malls Group has announced that the Dubai Mall at Downtown Burj Dubai will open on August 28 2008.

In a move designed to curb inflation the Lulu Hypermarket Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UAE Ministry of Economy to freeze the price of 32 basic food commodities throughout 2008.

Goods affected include rice, sugar, bread, water, macaroni, meat, cheese, chicken, milk, salt, butter, and tea.

The group operates 37 supermarkets and hypermarkets in the UAE including outlets in Dubai in Al Barsha, Karama, and Al Qusais.

Emaar Malls, a subsidiary of property developers Emaar, have announced that their new shopping mall in Downtown Burj Dubai will open in December. The Souk Al Bahar will feature over 130 shops and boast a waterfront promenade with 25 restaurants and cafes.

The organisers of one of Dubai’s most eagerly awaited events, the Dubai Shopping Festival, have announced that the 2008 edition will run from January 24 to February 24 2008.