Retail Dude

“Everything you desire, everything that glitters, everything that swims, everything on ice

Welcome to everything”

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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Very recently a forum got over at FICCI’s Delhi office.

Almost next to the world’s most “public” blast-bin, on Barakhamba Road.

Any “explosive” ideas there? Any path-breaking decisions? Not really. Wasn’t even expected I’d guess!

Why is it that we are hell bent on doing the same things “better” & “more efficiently”?

For example, the group decided to “improve services under a single umbrella, by adding spares, servicing, accessories, advise etc. etc.” Is it something new? Did that require an expensive forum (with subsequent traffic snarls thanks to hundred of parked vehicles on an otherwise No Parking zone)?

The one-stop shop was there in most developed countries when we were getting our Amby’s on halogen lamps! The far east tiger nations followed soon, with a great deal of success.

Multi brand vehicle retailing ”was” a proven model, decades back!

As usual, my simple brain with little education keeps asking me some simple questions.

How’s prime commercial space helping auto-retailers in this downturn?

Will multi-brand ever happen here? Why not?

How do the auto giants plan to address adding more services at the same location, without adding significant real esate costs? IF costs do add up, how will it make financial sense for the locations?

Finally, would these one-stop locations become similar to branded outlets in malls, where “brand-building” seems to be way more inmportant than actual commerce?

Now, I am at a loss….you?

- Arnab

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“India will ‘certainly’ look at removing the cap of 51 per cent in single-brand retail”, Industry and Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said.

India already has 51% FDI allowed in Single-Brand Outlet, whereas 100% FDI is allowed in Cash and Carry business. However there is no FDI in case of Multi-Brand store in India due to wide political opposition. Allowing 51% FDI lead to entry of many luxury retailers into India like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Armani etc. But now these brand is looking for 100% FDI. President of Louis Vuitton Yves Carcelle, who raised the question of removing the FDI cap, said, “Why will anybody come unless they allow 100 per cent?”

Apart from Single-Brand store, government is also pondering on allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail of electronics goods, computers, sports goods as well as watches. But this wont be an easy task for them. However government will protect groceries and consumer goods for Indian Retailers. This move will come with various conditions like mandatory sourcing from Indian Vendors.

This move will lead to entry of brands like IKEA, Curry’s, Sports Direct etc in India. It will also motivate existing players to expand their presence in India. Louis Vuitton entered India in 2003 but still they have only 4 stores compared to 25 in China. “We would like to have the right to own 100 percent of our retail company rather than 51 percent today that is our request and we will continue to talk to the Indian authorities,” Louis Vuitton Chief Executive Yves Carcelle said. A recent survey done by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) on 300 international retailers found that more than a quarter of them have either opened or are planning to open their stores in India if the country relaxes the norms further. Allowing 100% FDI in Single Brand store will encourage more luxury retailers to enter India as they will have a stronger foothold in one of their biggest untapped markets to date, potentially worth $15 billion.

- Rajeev Damani

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As a next step after resolve of Singur issue, Tata Motors is planning to use Hub & Spoke model for their most awaited Rs one-lakh car – Tata Nano. As per this model company’s dealers (hubs) in the city will be responsible for maintaining touch points through spokes in the hinterland. This model is generally used by two-wheeler companies (like Baja Auto is using it) but since Nano is targeting people using two wheelers too, this model will be beneficial for it. This model will ensure a deeper market penetration by Tata Motors. 

-       Rajeev Damani

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