MoE metro link retailers report 'huge footfall'

RETAIL BOOST: Shops in the Mall of the Emirates' new link to the metro station are reporting huge footfall since the rail system opened. (ITP Images)

Retail units operating in the new Mall of the Emirates Metro link have reported "huge footfall" on their opening weekend, mall chiefs said on Tuesday.

They said stores had started to open earlier than normal in an effort to catch the thousands of commuters using the metro to travel to work in the mornings.

Among the new businesses that have opened their doors along the link are Home Sweet Home, Emax, E-City, Paperchase, Borders Express, Cold Stone Creamery and Nokia while Jacky's and Better Life have relocated to the area and UAE Exchange now has its second outlet at the mall.

"We've found that our Metro Link stores are proving not only popular with visitors using the new service, but also with shoppers who come to the centre by other means," said Fuad Sharaf, vice-president of Mall of the Emirates.

"We designed it to be much more than a mere access route to the trains and it is clear that it is being seen more as a shopping extension to the mall by our customers," he added.

The new 1,753 square metre area facility has its own customer service desk, restrooms, trolley bays and courtesy parking crews to assist commuters and customers.

"Many of the Metro Link stores are opening early in the morning to help service the needs of commuters who are using the Mall of the Emirates as their exit station on their way to work," said Sharaf.

"We've noticed that a lot of people are stopping to pick up snacks and newspapers before they get to their offices and a number are also taking advantage of this quieter time of the day to ensure that they have the store assistants' undivided attention when enquiring about a particular product," he added.

The 175 metre-long link comprises three travellators operating in both directions.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Huge Footfall
Posted by Paul Ransted, Dubai on Monday 21 September 2009 at 18:30 UAE time


Interested that the Cold Stone Creamery was doing great business in the early hours....wasnt it daylight hours...during Ramadan...fasting.....interesting facts.

MOE MetrO
Posted by Saeid on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 21:53 UAE time


I passed by MOE Metro outlets today. The location is great. But there were nooooooo customers. But all remains to be seen after ramadan. Hopefully the biz will pick up for these guys. I hate to see all the clerks bored out of their wits

What??
Posted by Original Joe, Dubai on Wednesday 16 September 2009 at 06:42 UAE time


A few contrasts here....the title reads "huge footfall" while in the article the quote says customers are "taking advantage of this quieter time of day". Well, huge footfall does not equate to quiet so which is it?

The article said a lot of people are "stopping to pick up snacks". Who exactly is buying ice cream at Cold Stone and quickly eating it in the early morning?

Let's be honest here...these new shops probably have to open early out of necessity. The companies owning these shops probably bought into the hype of Dubai when they signed their contract more than a year ago and agreed to outrageous rents. Now these shops are feeling the pain of their stupid decision to agree to such high rents.

Huge football means?
Posted by Denny, Dubai on Tuesday 15 September 2009 at 20:06 UAE time


Does reporting huge footfall mean that they didn't have huge sales?

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