Deira City Centre will create 30,000 sq ft of extra retail space as part of refurbishment plans
Fifty-five new stores and 30,000 sq ft of extra space will be created at Deira City Centre this year as part of a refurbishment programme, it was announced on Saturday.
Majid Al Futtaim Properties' flagship mall will see a new Marks & Spencer, Toys 'R' Us and a fitness facility added as part of the plans, the company said in a statement.
Other features will include a new entrance from the metro station, new prayer room, and the redevelopment of the current jewellery and textile courts.
Other international retailer such as Aeropostale and American Eagle will arrive at the mall, the company added.
"Al Futtaim Retail is excited by the opportunity to introduce two of our key brands to a flagship centre such as Deira City Centre, one of Dubai's longest standing and hugely popular mall," said Jonathan Price, managing director, Marks & Spencer, Al Futtaim Retail.
Fuad Al Najjar, vice president, Deira City Centre, added: "Research has demonstrated that Deira City Centre retains a loyal following among a significant proportion of Dubai residents and visitors, and our 2011 enhancement is an opportunity to welcome new destinational brands."
If retailers are willing to pay the rent then why not expand. Look at Al-Ghurair. This mall has seen its best days long gone more than 10 years ago but for whatever reason they are expanding. Let them all fight it out to be the #3 mall after Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall.
Professionally I believe all of these retailers are crazy to keep opening all these shops. Marks & Spencer is a dead zone at Wafi and probably doing ok at Festival City. Now a 3rd store will open at City Centre. All 3 are a 5 minute drive from one another. This kind of expansion of a major retailer would never happen in mature retail markets.
Dear Mr. Joe,
Your comment reflects a very good analysis and judgment. As you said, these kinds of evolution and multiple shops of a franchise within such short distances are not seen in matured markets.
Chellamani
