Page 12 - February 2022

middle east news

STORE OF THE FUTURE LAUNCHED AS DUBAI MALL

OPERATOR PUSHES RETAIL TECHNOLOGY

Mall of the Emirates, owned and operated by Majid Al
Futtaim, has collaborated with Cisco, a worldwide leader
in IT and digital transformation, to launch the Store of
the Future. The first retailer to take over the cutting-
edge space is THAT Concept Store, Majid Al Futtaim’s
home-grown luxury brand.
According to Majid Al Futtaim, the store will elevate the
traditional shopping experience by incorporating digital
retail to introduce customers to a futuristic shopping
journey. This will be created through five of Cisco’s core
technology features - Digital Display Canvas, Lift & Learn,
Magic Mirror, Beauty Mirror and Store Analytics.
The arrival of the store reflects a growing trend for
greater in-store personalisation. Digital display screens
will welcome customers into the store and will create
an immersive atmosphere with the help of artificial
intelligence and computer vision.

WATSONS TO EXPAND INTO THE MIDDLE EAST WITH NEW STORES ACROSS THE GCC. THE FIRST NEW ADDITION IS WATSONS FIRST ENTRY INTO QATAR AT DOHA FESTIVAL CITY, THE
DESTINATION FOR BEAUTY SHOPPERS IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH LAUNCHED LAST MONTH. THIS FOLLOWED THE NEW STORE OPENINGS IN DUBAI MALL, DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY, MALL OF
THE EMRIATES AND AL WAHDA MALL IN THE UAE AND THE MALL OF DHAHRAN IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA. IN QATAR, CUSTOMERS HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXPLORE THE NEARLY
3,000SQ FT BEAUTY-LAND WITH DESIGNATED ZONES LIKE NATURAL & CLEAN BEAUTY WHICH FEATURES THE SUSTAINABLE CHOICES PRODUCTS, AND AN OPEN MAKEUP AREA.

SAUDI FUND INKS DEAL $490M SUSTAINABLE CITY
FOR TOURISM SCHEME SET TO BE BUILT

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has announced a Aldar Properties have announced an agreement with Diamond
partnership with Al-Ameen Real Estate, part of Al Nahla Group, to Developers, the mastermind behind The Sustainable City brand,
launch a $80M project in Taif. Named Taif Front, the 100,000sq m to form a joint venture to replicate the project on Abu Dhabi’s
destination will be located in the heart of Taif in Al Khalidiyyah district Yas Island.
and will feature upscale accommodation with more than 150 keys, The Sustainable City - Yas Island will span an area of
premium retail and entertainment offerings including F&B outlets. 397,000sq m in Yas North and will be developed to align with
Designed to reflect Taif’s reputation as one of Saudi Arabia’s the UAE’s net-zero goals and the highest sustainability standards,
leading summer destinations, the project will have significant outdoor comprising 864 townhouses and apartments and 3,000sq m
space, combining retail and entertainment to attract both domestic of retail. Construction of the AED1.8bn project is scheduled to
and international tourists, a statement said. The project will feature commence in late 2022, with a 30-month completion target.
shopping centres with a range of large international flagship stores. The Sustainable City branded concept and working model in
Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF, said: “This signature mixed-use Dubai was the first fully operational sustainable community in the
destination in Taif reflects our commitment to developing untapped Middle East and has already proven successful as an intelligent,
tourism destinations in line with the National Tourism Strategy. With live-work-and thrive destination that brings forward the 2050
its ideal climate and strong agriculture industry, Taif is in a prime global climate targets. The city will be powered by renewable
position for development.” energy, enabling residents to save up to 100 per cent on bills.

12 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2022