Differentiation, disruption and data

By 2025, $100bn per year will be spent on ecommerce in the Gulf, what will your company do to get a piece?

Majid Al Futtaim opens new City Centre Me’aisem at IMPZ

The Dhs 275m mall features 53 retail outlets and is anchored by a Carrefour hypermarket

Banks suspect wilful default by Atlas Jewellery owner

Reports emerged yesterday that Dubai Police had arrested the owner of the gold jewellery store chain

Atlas Jewellery owner detained by Dubai Police over bounced cheques and debts

M.M. Ramachandran reportedly has outstanding debts of Dhs 550m to various banks in India and the UAE

Kuwait boycott forces down price of “king of fish”

Consumers launched a Twitter campaign to boycott fishsellers after the price of pompfret rose considerably

Overall card spending in the UAE up 14% during Ramadan- study

Spending from UAE-issued cards rose 17 per cent during Ramadan while cards spending by international visitors rose seven per cent

US fashion brand Bebe plots Gulf expansion with new stores

The fashion brand is planning to open more stores in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the next few years

Nakheel awards Dhs38m contract for retail centre, mosque in Al Furjan

The company said that it is developing a second retail centre within its Al Furjan community

Dubai Aquarium introduces shark breeding programme, new visitor experiences

Two new educational experiences have been introduced to provide visitors with insights into the project.

Five minutes with.. Latifa Al Gurg, founder, Twisted Roots

Latifa Al Gurg is bringing her high-end fashion brand Twisted Roots to GCC retailers, with international markets to follow

Nakheel inks retail deal with Al Tayer Group for Al Khail Avenue

Al Tayer Group will bring brands including Gap, Mamas & Papas, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Areej, Caffe Nero, and Ocean Basket to Al Khail Avenue

Dubai mall firm Majid Al Futtaim H1 revenue rises 7%

The privately-owned firm said in a statement revenue for the six months to June 30 was Dhs 13.7bn

Online marketplace dubizzle UAE faces security breach

The company says only a “small percentage” of its database was breached and that all financial information is secure

Marka sees potential for three more Modell’s stores in the UAE – CEO

Marka recently bought Retailcorp, which owns Modell’s, from state-owned conglomerate Dubai World for $60m

Dubai’s Emaar Malls Q2 profit rises 43%

Emaar Malls made a net profit of Dhs 412m in the second quarter of 2015

UAE ranked eighth most attractive retail market globally

The UAE’s strong infrastructure and business friendly environment make the country an attractive market to retailers, a new study shows

Marka signs Dhs 31m franchise deal for ice cream brand Morelli’s Gelato

Post the deal, Marka plans to open 17 Morelli’s outlets in the MENA region by 2020

Reem Mall gets nod from Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council

Following the approval, officials said that they expect to start work on the $1bn mall this year

Five minutes with.. Christianna Tsiterou, founder, The Gift Concierge

Christianna Tsiterou is planning to bring luxury service The Gift Concierge to the whole of the GCC following its UAE launch

Al Masah Capital’s F&B unit buys Johnny Rockets franchisee

The private equity firm acquired Al Faris Restaurant, which operates the Johnny Rockets franchise in the UAE and Oman.

Agility unit to invest $225m in Abu Dhabi mall project

The mall will be a partnership project, the company said

Five minutes with.. Yasmine Attieh, operations director, Em Sherif

Yasmine Attieh says Lebanese restaurant chain Em Sherif is working on several franchise opportunities in the region.

Sharaf DG to open first Egypt store in 2016, plots Gulf expansion

The electronics retailer is also looking to enter the Saudi market next year, a senior official said.

Luxury Belgian chocolatier Godiva plans major UAE, Saudi expansion

The company aims to double the number of outlets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the next six to 12 months

UAE residents spend an average of Dhs 120 per head on eating out – survey

Up to 66 per cent of UAE residents have dinner out at least once in a week, a survey by KPMG has found

Dubai Parks and Resorts begins leasing retail, dining units in Riverland

The entrance plaza will feature about 50 dedicated outlets along with various street dining options.

UAE’s R Holding launches retail projects worth Dhs700m

The company is currently building five retail projects in Ajman and two in Dubai, a statement said.

Nakheel to launch retail space for lease at Ibn Battuta Mall extension

The developer will launch 766,000 sq ft of additional shop and restaurant space for lease at the mall on June 1.

Nakheel says work on The Pointe mall at Palm Jumeirah 30% complete

The developer says Dhs800 million mall on track for opening in 2016.

Dubai’s Marka acquires stake in UK-based e-commerce site Icons

The company purchased a 65 per cent stake in sports merchandise retailer Icons for a value of Dhs15.3 million.