Sharjah shake-up

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What growth did you experience in 2007, and what would you pinpoint as the main catalysts for this?

Sahara Centre registered a 30% leap in sales during September and October 2007 after our unique Sahara Ramadan Charity Auction. The initiative was the first of its kind at any shopping centre in the UAE, and footfall surged by 70% during the period under review. Sahara Centre would attribute the performance to our strategy of keeping ourselves abreast with latest industry trends and dynamic consumer preferences. We have devised very successful promotions during the course of the year, whether it was our special Ramadan promotion or the renowned summer promotions, which have helped to build our popularity as a shopping destination for families.

What is the future for FMCG retailers in the region?

Retail trade in the UAE is expected to grow exponentially by 2010 and the trends are very positive. With FMCG in mind, hypermarkets and supermarkets are recording in excess of 55% to 60% sales across the UAE. Keeping all of these aspects in view, store equity in the Middle East's retail market becomes all the more vital, and this can be driven by two broad factors: familiarity with our stores and functional aspects such as accessibility and assortment.

Have you made any changes at the centre in recent months?

Sahara Centre has broken ground on a AED4 billion (US $1 billion) mega expansion plan that will more than double the size of the emirate's landmark shopping mall and create a whole new ‘city within a city' called Sahara City. This is the largest project to be carried out in Sharjah over the next five years and will provide a major boost to the emirate's plans to increase tourism and attract further investment. Sahara Centre will continue to be the largest mall in Sharjah by increasing its size by 60% to 1.8 million ft², and involve expanding the ground, first and second floors of the mall by half a million sq ft, and a new AED6 million (US $1.6 million) covered pedestrian bridge across the busy highway to the mall.

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