Shopping

Jun 9, Saks Fifth Avenue opens shop at The Walk

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.

Jun 1, Cigarette sales to under 20s banned

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.’

Apr 16, Leviev to open luxury diamond jewellery stores

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.

Apr 10, Dubai Mall to open in August

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

Apr 7, Lulu freezes prices of basic commodities

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.

Sep 27, New shopping mall to open in December

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.

Sep 19, Dubai Shopping Festival 2008

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.

Sep 13, MAF shopping malls receive 10 million visitors during shopping festival

MAF Shopping Malls have announced that their flagship malls, the Mall of the Emirates and Deira City Centre, received a record 10 million visitors during the 10 weeks of the Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival this year. Total sales were estimated at AED 1.6 billion, and increase of 38% on the figures for 2006.

May 24, Sanctuary Hotels and Resorts to manage Quattro West

Makaseb Holding has appointed a Sanctuary Hotels and Resorts as managers of its Quattro West mixed-use development. The project is due to be completed by 2009 and includes a 5-star hotel, shopping mall, and business centre.

May 10, Public smoking restrictions to be introduced

The Dubai Municipality have announced that smoking restrictions will come into effect on May 31, World No Tobacco Day. Under Phase 1, commencing May 31, smoking will be banned in government buildings, while phase 2, beginning on September 16 will see smoking banned in schools, hair salons, offices, health clubs and internet cafes. Shopping malls will be required to have designated smoking areas. Under phase 3, starting November 15, smoking restrictions will be introduced in restaurants and cinemas.