Hershey’s Chocolate World at the Dubai Mall stocks a range of more than 400 Hershey products, both confectionary and non-confectionary.

Sunaina Gill of franchisee Retail Is Detail said ‘At Hershey’s, you will find hundreds of exclusive products including giant chocolate bars, Hershey memorabilia, and even customized products. The store is a great way for people to enjoy our chocolate, but it’s also a fun, interactive experience for visitors of all ages.’

The store features a ‘green screen’ where families and individuals can have their photos taken and placed on a customised chocolate bar or other product. It is also home to the World’s Largest Hershey Chocolate Bar, measuring 60 cm by 30 cm and weighing 5 pounds.

Hersey’s Chocolate World is located on Level 2 of the Dubai Mall, next to the Reel Cinemas.

There will be 2 stores at the Dubai Mall; a 146,000 square feet fashion and accessories store and a 54,000 square feet home store.

They will be the first Bloomingdale’s stores to open outside the US.

It will be the 11th station to open on the Red Line and will be able to deal with 11 thousand passengers per hour in each direction.

The station will primarily serve the Downtown Burj Dubai area, home of the Dubai Mall, Burj Dubai, and numerous hotels (Address Downtown Burj Dubai, Address Dubai Mall, Palace, Al Manzil, Qamardeen, Armani etc.).

The opening was marked with the first digital screening in the UAE of the film 2012. It was shown in Screen 22, the region’s first and only THX-certified cinema hall.

Reel Cinemas also includes The Picturehouse, the first cinema in the UAE dedicated to art house and independent films.

The first 10 screens at 22-screen multiplex opened in August 2009.

The venture between Emaar Retail and the SEGA Corporation offers 9 major rides plus over 150 amusement games.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Retail, said, ‘The much anticipated launch of the SEGA Republic indoor theme park marks yet another milestone for Emaar Retail. SEGA Republic is the first of its kind in the Middle East and it delivers an unmatched, distinctive leisure experience for all visitors. The theme park complements the myriad of other leisure attractions within the mall and provides quality entertainment for all visitors.’

Features include state-of-the-art projection and audio visual systems, ergonomically designed seats, online ticket booking, VIP movie suites, coffee bar and concession counters.

From May 9 divers can come face-to-face with resident sharks, stingrays, giant groupers and over 33,000 other creatures in one of the world’s largest aquariums.

3 dives are offered each day in conjunction with Al Boom Diving, one of the leading dive centres in Dubai.

Certified divers can take part immediately. Others must take a short course with Al Boom Diving.

Mr Arif Amiri, Senior Director, Emaar Properties PJSC, said, ‘Visitors to Dubai Aquarium have been fascinated by the sight of our staff divers, who dive underwater to feed our sharks and fishes every day. Now, with the launch of Shark Dives, we are offering the opportunity for all to have an incredible diving experience in an aquarium environment. Apart from having trained staff members from Al Boom Diving to assist the public, Shark Diving is being undertaken to the highest safety standards. All appropriate training and equipment are provided and this opportunity is available to certified and non-certified divers as well.’

Advance bookings are required and can be made by calling 04-342-2993.

The 33,000 sq ft store is situated on Level 1 of the shopping mall, next to Debenhams.

The UK retailer is known for its high-quality fashion, home, and food products.

Other branches of M&S in Dubai are at the Festival Centre, Wafi City Mall, and in Deira.

Kidzania will be a child-sized replica of a retail city where children can play adult roles such as doctors, teachers, fire fighters, bankers, police officers, hairdressers and a multitude of other occupations.

It will include buildings such as a hospital, supermarket, beauty salon, and restaurants.

Children will be able to visit the buildings or choose to work in them, wearing an appropriate uniform.

The first Kidzania opened in 1999 at the Santa Fe Shopping Mall in Mexico City. Others are found in Tokyo and Jakarta.

Here’s a video showing a group of disabled children and their helpers visiting the Mexican park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VaDbvgrXyM