Dubai Duty Free shopping complex in Concourse C

Dubai Duty Free annual sales touch $1.74bn in 2022

December sales were boosted by DDF’s 39th anniversary celebrations when the operation offered a 25 per cent discount from December 18- 20

Consumers spend in 2023 - trends

UAE consumers to shop, dine out more, but spend less per visit in 2023: Mastercard Economics Institute

The report expects inflationary pressure to ease in 2023, with the average inflation rate of developed economies falling from 7.1 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2022 to 3.1 per cent year-on-year in Q4 2023

Geant opens first supermarket in UAE in Ajman

Géant opens first supermarket in the UAE

Géant has expanded into the Northern Emirates with the opening of its new store concept in Ajman

IGB Majid Al Futtaim

Majid Al Futtaim, Immersive Gamebox to launch interactive digital smart rooms in UAE 

Seven ‘Gameboxes’ will be introduced in two Magic Planet locations in Dubai and Sharjah in January 

Saudi's Shaker and LG expand long-term partnership

Saudi’s Shaker Group and LG expand long-term partnership

The new supply agreement will come into effect from January 1, 2023 and enable Shaker to offer LG’s full product range

Sharaf Retail expands operations across Middle East and Far East

Sharaf Retail expands operations across Middle East and Far East

The group has already opened 14 stores in the last 12 months across Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain and Oman

Elista

Electronics and home appliances brand Elista launches in the UAE

Teknodome, Elista’s parent company has been into business past 15 years in the region

GMG and Silal sign MoU to drive collaboration in food sector

UAE retailer GMG, Silal sign MoU to drive collaboration in food sector

GMG will support up to 1,100 farms contracted with Silal to bring fresh local produce to consumers directly sourced from local farms

Dubai shopping festival

Dubai reveals dates for 28th edition of annual shopping festival

Dubai Shopping Festival is back this year from December 15 with 46 days of entertainment, fashion exclusives, shopping deals, raffles, hotel and dining offers

Lenskart

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority to invest in eyewear retailer Lenskart

ADIA is in advanced talks with Lenskart to invest $350m to $400m at a valuation of $4.5bn

Nike launches its smart sneaker Cryptokicks iRL

Nike launches its smart sneaker Cryptokicks iRL

The Cryptokicks iRL features auto-lacing, enhanced lighting, haptic feedback, gesture control, walk detection, app connectivity, AI/ML algorithms and wireless charging via the RTFKT powerdeck

Sharjah Chamber opens registration for Sharjah Shopping Promotions 2022

Sharjah Chamber opens registration for Shopping Promotions 2022

The new season will kick off on December 15 and will continue until January 29, 2023

Fawaz Alhokair Group, Arabian centres and Alhokair fashion announce rebranding

Fawaz Alhokair Group, Arabian centres announce rebranding

The full rebrand brings together all operating companies under the Cenomi brand

Agthia completes acquisition of majority stake in Auf Group

Agthia completes acquisition of majority stake in Egypt’s Auf Group

Agthia has acquired 60 per cent of the Auf Group, with the Egyptian company’s founders retaining a 30 per cent stake

MENA customers doubled their spending on White Friday, reveals survey

According to Admitad, shoppers in the MENA region increased their orders by 135% and their spending by 94% during the sale week compared to the ‘usual’ period

KEZAD Group breaks ground on noon’s 252,000 sqm fulfilment centre

KEZAD Group breaks ground on noon’s 252,000 sqm fulfilment centre

The fulfilment centre facility is being designed and developed by KEZAD Group under a build-to-suit agreement and is scheduled for delivery in 2024

Revealed: Winners of the Gulf Business Awards 2022

The awards celebrated stalwarts and companies from across the region’s business landscape

Dubai announces three day super sale with up to 90% discounts

Dubai announces three day super sale, up to 90% discounts

The 2022 edition of the bi-annual promotion will take place from November 25-28, with reductions of up to 90 per cent across lifestyle, beauty, fashion, electronics

Noon.com Yellow Friday Sale

Noon.com’s Yellow Friday sale begins, discounts up to 80%

Running from November 20 to 27, customers can expect up to 80 per cent off millions of products and money-saving bank offers

The region’s first-ever standalone Disney Store opens doors at The Avenues in Kuwait

Region’s first standalone Disney Store opens in Kuwait

Located at the Avenues in Kuwait, the occasion was highlighted with an array of magical festivities and giveaways for little ones, transporting guests to the wonderful world of Disney.

Eyewear retailer eyewa opens 50 stores in 2 years across GCC

Eyewear retailer eyewa opens 50 stores in 2 years across GCC

Eyewa entered the physical retail space less than two years ago with the opening of its first store in Mall of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia in December 2020

GCC retail sector will see 15.7% YoY growth, according to Alpen Capital

GCC retail sector will see 15.7% YoY growth, according to Alpen Capital

The industry is expected to further grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7 per cent by 2026, says Alpen Capital’s latest retail sector report

Online sales to get a boost during football season: TikTok reedseer

World Cup, Black Friday to boost online retail in MENA region to $8.4bn, predict Redseer, TikTok

According to the report, with offline sales included, the overlap of the football season with Black Friday will present a massive $70bn opportunity for the retail sector in the MENA region

ADNOC Distribution

ADNOC Distribution reports 39% rise in nine-month net profit

The company’s non-fuel transactions increased by 18 per cent during the period

Talabat launches first quick-commerce-as-a-service (Q-CAAS) store

Talabat launches first quick-commerce-as-a-service (Q-CAAS) store

This came after a six-month trial was successfully completed in partnership with Aswaaq retail

LuLu opens new Hypermarket in Saudi Arabia's Saihat

Lulu opens new hypermarket in Saudi Arabia’s Saihat

Between 2020 and 2023, Lulu Group is planning to open 91 hypermarkets as part of its $2.9bn investment in its retail network

Shopping trends in UAE and MENA ahead of Black Friday sales

Shopping trends in UAE and MENA ahead of Black Friday sales

According to Google’s internal data, Black Friday sales are most sought after by consumers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, compared to Brazil, the UK and the US

Mall of the Emirates digital concierge service

Mall of the Emirates launches Digital Concierge service, WhatsApp shopping

Customers can purchase from 350 brands, including luxury designers via the mall’s Digital Concierge website and WhatsApp chat feature

Joe & The Juice

Danish café chain ‘Joe & The Juice’ launches in Dubai, opens three outlets

UAE is set to welcome ten health-conscious ‘Joe & The Juice’ stores and cafes by 2024 

Pret A Manger enters Middle East, opens first shop in Kuwait

Pret A Manger expands in Middle East, opens first shop in Kuwait

Popular UK-based food and coffee chain opens at Al Hamra Tower, in partnership with Kuwait-based franchise group One PM