Majid Al Futtaim Waits For Stability In Egypt, Syria

MAF had a Carrefour store in Aleppo shut down as a result of the violence in Syria.

UAE’s Airport Retail Industry Rakes In Revenues

The UAE’s airport retail sector has benefitted heavily from increased passenger traffic in the country.

US-Based Mooyah Fast Food Chain Launches In The UAE

The restaurant will be owned and operated by franchise partner Awgal investments and Menfex, the brand developer for Mooyah.

UAE’s Just Falafel To Launch IPO On Nasdaq Dubai By October

The fast food chain is reportedly looking to offload around 25 per cent of its shares.

Qatar Looking Less Likely To Bid For Versace – Sources

Family-owned Italian fashion house Versace is looking to sell between 15 to 20 per cent to investors.

UAE’s Retail Market Attractive Despite High Rents

Average retail rental rates in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were $114 and $71 per square feet per annum respectively.

Dubai’s Mall Of The Emirates Plans Dhs1bn Redevelopment

The renovation project will include new shopping, dining and entertainment concepts.

GPHG To Make Middle East Debut In Dubai

The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève will showcase 70 of the finest watches in DIFC this October.

Booming Saudi Retail Market Fuels Alhokair Expansion Drive

Alhokair net profit rose nearly 37 per cent year on year in the three months to June 30.

Dubai Duty Free Names Banks To Arrange $750m Expansion Loan

The facility will be arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD and Standard Chartered.

Dubai Shopping Festival 2014 To Start January 2

The biggest shopping extravaganza in the Middle East attracted 4.66 million visitors last year.

Majid Al Futtaim To Raise $1.5bn Loan To Refinance Debt

The mall operator will use the $1.5 billion facility to replace revolving loans totalling $1 billion.

Yellow Cab Pizza Chain To Launch In UAE

The Philippines-based casual dining chain will open two outlets in Abu Dhabi this year.

First Look Pictures: The Galleria, Abu Dhabi’s New Luxury Mall

The luxurious destination features 100 retail and high-end F&B outlets spread across 33,000 sq metres.

Nakheel To Build Shopping Centre For Al Furjan Residents

A construction timeline for the proposed 30,000 square metre retail facility is yet to be announced.

Online Retailer Mumzworld Launches ‘Women-Only’ Investment Round

The region’s online mother and child website aims to attract female investors to online retail through the women-only investment round.

Abu Dhabi Duty Free H1 Revenues Outpace Passenger Growth

Abu Dhabi duty free revenues touched Dhs437.6 million in the first half of 2013, up 17.4 per cent from the same period last year.

Dubai’s MAF Signs JV With Gourmet Gulf, Enters F&B Market

Gourmet Gulf holds franchise rights for brands like California Pizza Kitchen, Morelli’s Gelato and YO! Sushi.

Costa Coffee To Introduce Camel Milk Drinks

The global coffee chain has introduced camel milk as an option for customers, as well as a new camel milk iced drink.

Kuwait’s Kout Buys British Roadside Dining Chain Little Chef For $23m

The Kuwaiti form bought Little Chef from private equity firm RCapital.

Dubai’s New Design District Attracting International Designers

The emirate’s recently launched project is receiving strong interest from designers, design academies and boutique hotels, says developer.

Saudi Food Sales To Hit $70bn By 2016

A growing population and increased consumer spending are expected to drive the Kingdom’s food and agricultural sectors.

Qatar Luxury Group To Launch Boutique

The boutique, for its luxury brand Qela, will launch in Doha in late September and will sell leather goods, shoes, jewellery and clothing.

Saudi Dairy Firm Almarai Eyes Hybrid Sukuk

The offering, which is not imminent, is likely to be denominated in Saudi riyals.

Dubai Consumer Complaints Rise Sharply In H1 2013

The services sector, along with the electronics sector, accounted for over half the increases in consumer complaints this year.

Dubai’s Retail Sector Drives Growth During Q1

Industry, finance, transportation, real estate and construction are some of the other key sectors driving economic growth in the emirate.

Abu Dhabi Food Prices Rise 1.9% During Ramadan

Despite government efforts, food prices are rising throughout the Holy month with coffee, tea and cocoa up by 5.4 per cent since Ramadan began.

Dubai Mall, MOE To Keep Major Market Share Despite Mall Boom

Secondary malls, like Discovery Gardens Centre, will come as a relief as retail space at the major malls faces high demand.

Dubai Commands 30% Of ME Luxury Market Share

The affinity towards luxurious brands and intra-region tourism has helped boost the luxury goods market in the emirate.

Foreign Companies “Don’t Understand” MENA Market

A retail expert from Manchester Business School, Dubai, warns foreign businesses to take their expansion plans seriously.