Dubai’s Marka To Launch Four New Retail Brands At Meraas’ City Walk

Dubai-based retail and restaurant group Marka has said that it will launch four retail brands in the second phase of the Meraas Holding’s City Walk development.

The company will launch the French designer clothing brands Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Berenice and the Belgium-based Essential Antwerp along with an undisclosed luxury brand in the later part of 2015, a statement said.

Marka’s chief executive Nick Peel said that the City Walk development was the ideal place to launch these brands.

Located at the junction of Al Wasl and Al Safa road in Dubai, the first phase of City Walk with around 350 metres of retail frontage. Upon completion, the project will have a 1.3 kilometre-long promenade with retail, hospitality and entertainment facilities.

“It is strategically located and positioned to attract a heavy footfall of highly fashion conscious customers and is the ideal location for our fashion brands,” said Peel.

“As Dubai’s retail landscape has matured and expanded, we have witnessed an evolution from traditional malls to more intimate, community focused developments that offer an exclusive shopping experience.”

Marka has also inked deals to launch retail outlets in other mega projects including Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi, the Galleria Mall and The Beach in Dubai.

The company recently bagged the franchise agreement for football star Cristiano Ronaldo’s new CR7 footwear along with the four brands that it will launch in City Walk.

Marka, which commenced trading in the Dubai Financial Market on September 25, is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy in the region.

The retailing chain announced earlier this year that it is planning to open more than 100 fashion stores, restaurants and cafes across the region over the next five years.

Marka said that it will introduce global franchises and brands to the Gulf, which will allow it to quickly build a bigger customer base.