The Dubai RTA and Majid Al Futtaim open a new Sheikh Zayed Road bridge to Mall of the Emirates, cutting travel time from 10 to 1 minute
Retail
ADNOC Distribution
ADNOC Distribution non-fuel profits surge 15% as transactions hit 26m in H1 2025
ADNOC Distribution posted 15% growth in non-fuel profits and 26m transactions in H1 2025, with stores expanding and Oasis rebrand
dubai chocolate
Dubai Duty Free hits record $184m September sales as luxury, gold and iPhone 17 drive 11.9% surge
Dubai Duty Free posted record September sales of $184m, up 11.9 per cent year-on-year, led by luxury, gold and Apple’s iPhone 17 launch
beauty
ULTA’s Middle East expansion fuels shift from import market to global beauty exporter
When the store launches in Dubai later this year, ULTA will be actively scouting for Middle Eastern beauty brands to take back to the US
Philippines
UAE supermarket chain Spinneys enters Philippines market through Ayala deal
Under the partnership, Ayala Corporation will hold a 60 per cent stake, whilst Spinneys will own the remaining 40 per cent
UAE announces petrol prices for October
Motorists can refuel at stations across the UAE at the rates that have been approved by the committee
Abu Dhabi
UAE petrol prices to change for October 2025
UAE petrol prices saw a slight decline last month as part of a period of relative stability
beauty
EXCLUSIVE: ULTA Beauty confirms Dubai Mall location, Saudi Arabia stores in aggressive Middle East expansion
American beauty giant ULTA to open at world’s largest shopping destination following Mall of the Emirates launch with sights set on the Saudi market
Abu Dhabi
Amazon opens new Abu Dhabi fulfilment hub with capacity for 8 million products
Amazon has opened its first Abu Dhabi fulfilment centre in KEZAD, boosting UAE e-commerce with faster deliveries, SME support, and innovation labs
Dubai Duty Free
Louis Vuitton opens second Dubai Duty Free store at DXB Terminal 3
Louis Vuitton has opened its second Dubai Duty Free boutique at DXB Terminal 3 Concourse A
Al Futtaim
Saudi retail: Al Futtaim acquires 49.95% stake in Cenomi for $672m
Al Futtaim acquires a 49.95 per cent stake in Cenomi Retail for $672m, marking one of Saudi Arabia’s largest foreign retail investments
Dubai
Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates plans major $1.3bn expansion
Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates will undergo an AED5 billion redevelopment adding 20,000 square metres of retail space and accommodate 100 new stores
Dubai South
Dubai unveils VIP Terminal Boulevard at MBRAH to attract global aviation firms and luxury brands
Dubai has launched The VIP Terminal Boulevard at Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, a 204,000 sqm development to boost aviation and luxury retail
ADNOC Distribution
ADNOC Distribution and Landmark Group launch loyalty partnership
ADNOC Rewards and Landmark’s Shukran offer point conversion and cross-platform redemption for millions of members
artificial intelligence (AI)
Grandiose launches AI-Powered ‘GrandChef’ for smarter shopping
Supported by Microsoft, the innovative AI assistant will help you shop on the basis of recipes, dietary preferences, and cooking inspirations
Dubai shopping
Dubai startup Luxury For You debuts members-only platform with $300m designer collections
Dubai-born Luxury For You launches with free membership, insider pricing on 1,200 designer brands, $300m collections, and global shipping to 130 countries
dubai malls
New UAE tax rules; Dubai real estate record; 100 best places to work; Oman launches Golden Visa – 10 things you missed this week
From record Dubai real estate sales to new UAE tax rules, Oman’s Golden Residency and Saudi retail growth—this week’s must-read headlines
