Retail Dude

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The Dubai Mall

Welcome to World’s new largest mall – The Dubai Mall, outnumbering the previous largest mall “South china Mall”, Dongguan, China with approx. 5 million sq ft. And if you are in a mood to say “Size doesn’t matter” then I have something more to tell you about this flagship shopping mall by Emaar Malls Group.  The Dubai Mall will have over 1,200 retail outlets and 160 food & beverage outlets spread over a gross leasable area of 3.77 million sq ft. Over 165 retailers – or 30% of the mall’s total gross leasable area is dedicated to new retailers to the region, or brands opening up standalone stores for the first time. The mall is an integral component of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre mixed-use development anchored by the iconic Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building.

Amongst other world-class attractions at the mall are-

·         SEGA Republic®, an indoor theme park

·         KidZania®, a unique children’s ‘edu-tainment’ concept

·         The Grove, an open air streetscape with fully retractable roof and a 22-screen Cineplex

·         world’s largest gold souk

·         the 850,000 ft² Fashion Island

·         one of the world’s largest aquariums

·         an Olympic-sized ice skating rink

·         Oasis Fountain Waterfall

·         WaterFront Atrium

·         a view of the (soon to be completed) world’s tallest building, Burj Dubai

The Dubai Mall has confirmed its two department stores Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s, both making their regional debut. There are over 14,000 undercover car park spaces across three car parks and an adjoining luxury 5-star hotel – The Address, Dubai Mall - with 250 rooms and 450 serviced residences.

The mall has already won five awards. It won two awards at the Retail Future Project Awards at MAPIC, Cannes, in 2004, for Best Retail Development Scheme (Large), Best Use of Lighting in a Retail Environment. And the Dubai Mall brochure has won three awards at the Summit Creative Awards 2005, in Portland, Oregon; Gold award for Best Art Direction / Graphic Design, Silver award for Best 4-colour B2B Brochure, and Judges Special Recognition award.

The Dubai Mall will open doors to the public on Tuesday, 4 November at 2pm(Local Time). The opening of The Dubai Mall marks the largest-ever opening of a shopping mall in the world in terms of retail offer. The mall will have smooth and easy access from Sheikh Zayed Road, off Financial Street Road (previously Doha Road), Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai and through the newly opened bridge off Interchange One. Opening attractions at The Dubai Mall include over 600 retail outlets including Waitrose, Hamleys and Kinokuniya Books; Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre that has been awarded the Guinness World record for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel’ and featuring a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel.

-Prateek Katiyar

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