Mall space in Abu Dhabi to double in 2 years - expert

RETAIL GROWTH: Abu Dhabi may experience over supply of mall space if tourist numbers fail to grow. (Getty Images)

Abu Dhabi has plans to almost double the amount of mall retail space it has in the next two years to match predicted increases in population and tourism, it was reported on Monday.

However the growth could lead to over supply if tourists numbers failed to reach expectations, said Robert Ziegler, the vice president of the Dubai-based consultancy firm AT Kearney in an interview with UAE daily The National.

“That’s a major growth. However, if the increase in tourism we’re looking for comes and population growth is as planned, we should be just on par,” he said.

The total amount of retail space in the emirate’s shopping centres will grow from about 700,000 sq m to 1.2 m sq m by 2010.

At least six shopping centres are scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi in the next three years, including Deerfields Town Square on the outskirts of the emirate in 2010, and a revamped Central Market, Abu Dhabi’s old souk, in 2011.

Meanwhile, 60 percent of shops in the new Bawadi Mall in Al Ain will start welcoming customers on Mar. 26, according to the general manager, Bashar Tamimi, who said the city’s spending habits had not been affected by the global crisis.

“Business in Al Ain has not been affected at all by the crisis. More than 90 percent of businesses rely on residents and these residents have not been affected. Their income is the same and the population is increasing. We are optimistic,” he added.

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