Page 12 - March 2023 #179

MIDDLE EAST

UAE-BASED HOMEGROWN BRAND ELLI JUNIOR OPENS
FLAGSHIP STORE IN DUBAI MALL

UAE-based home-grown children’s retailer Elli Junior
has opened a flagship store in Dubai Mall. Located on the
second floor of the mall the new store is spread across
70sq ft and sports a contemporary look and feel.
“We plan to open more stores in prime locations
such as Dubai Mall and Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi to get
closer to our customers. I strongly believe in a hybrid
approach to reach consumers through their preferred
touchpoints,” said Founder & CEO Elli Kasbi during an
exclusive interview with RetailME.
One of our major milestones is the fact that we’ve
doubled our turnover every year since launch. Over
the past four years Elli Junior has grown 100% year-on-
year on sales. We’ve expanded our reach online, coupled
with building presence in luxury department stores and
popular malls. In addition, we’ve also built a community
website in Arabic.”

MAJID AL FUTTAIM HAS LAUNCHED THE MASSIVE SNOW PARK IN OMAN AND THE 14,830SQ M DESTINATION IS SAID TO BE THE LARGEST INDOOR SNOW PARK IN THE MENA REGION.
MAJID AL FUTTAIM HAS SAID THAT THE PARK IS ITS THIRD IN THE REGION, FOLLOWING SKI DUBAI AND SKI EGYPT. IT ADDED THAT THE PROJECT UNDERLINES ITS COMMITMENT TO
DELIVERING INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR GUESTS ACROSS THE REGION. SNOW OMAN FEATURES MORE THAN 20 FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS FEATURING A 430M
ICE RINK, AS WELL AS A PENGUINARIUM. STORYTELLING IS INTEGRATED INTO THE EXPERIENCE, WHICH HAS A ‘DESERT BLIZZARD’ THEME AND RESEMBLES AN IMAGINARY WORLD
WHERE OMAN’S CITYSCAPES AND DUNES ARE COVERED IN REAL SNOW, WHILST STILL REFLECTING THE LOCAL CULTURE AND HERITAGE.
MEGA ‘NATURE’ ISLAND NEW WAITROSE DUBAI
UNVEILED IN ABU DHABI MALL STORE REVEALED

Mohamed Alabbar is to launch a spectacular new $3.5bn island Waitrose & Partners UAE has renovated its 45,770sq ft Dubai
project off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Arabian Business has revealed. Mall store located on the ground floor. The revamped store
The project, known as Ramhan Island, will feature 1,800 beach villas, sports several new features including the grocer’s first ‘Shawarma
1,000 branded residences, a hotel and marina. The Emaar Founder Station’ serving up marinated chicken and beef wraps.
and Americana Chairman is developing it through his privately owned For meat connoisseurs the store’s first-ever ‘Smoke House’
Eagle Hills development company. offers a wide range of smoked delicacies, including spatchcock
The already existing island is located 20 minutes from the shores chicken (peri-peri or lemon-garlic), hot pastrami and brisket
of mainland Abu Dhabi. Once developed it will include a “world-class brioche sandwiches.
marina” with state-of-the-art shopping and fine dining, a luxury hotel The ‘Make Your Own’ salad and sandwich counters are packed
and floating villas. A total of eight different villa designs and layouts with fresh ingredients for customers to create their own dishes,
are being rolled out, varying in size from 2,862sq ft to 7,539sq ft. in addition to ready-made signature options. The store also
“It’s a rare thing to live on a natural island, complete with a beach features a smoothie and juice bar.
– everything being truly from nature, including dolphins, turtles and Meanwhile, homeware enthusiasts can browse the newly
birds. This is a quality of life that has never been seen before, and it expanded selection of kitchen, dining and home accessories,
is what we will be delivering – I have been lucky enough to work including John Lewis products. There’s also the store’s gifting and
on some unique projects over the years, but this is something truly floristry counter where shoppers can build a bouquet of elegant
special,” he told Arabian Business. flowers and stems.

12 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MARCH 2023