Page 12 - #200 June/July 2025

APPAREL GROUP REIMAGINES KOTON CONCEPT STORE

AT DUBAI MALL, REINFORCING REGIONAL GROWTH VISION

Leading fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate in the region,
Apparel Group, have announced the opening of Koton’s renovated
concept store at Dubai Mall.
Located on the first floor of one of the world’s most iconic
shopping destinations, the store showcases an evolved retail
identity with a curated focus on women’s and teen fashion.
This elevated store design reflects both Koton’s global brand
direction and Apparel Group’s regional expansion strategy,
combining trend-led collections with a modern shopping
environment tailored to the UAE’s dynamic fashion consumer.
The store offers a refined layout, immersive visual merchandising
and collections that reflect the brand’s signature blend of elegance,
accessibility and seasonality.
Currently operating 18 stores across the UAE, Saudi Arabia
and Bahrain, Koton is charting a regional growth strategy that
includes upcoming market entries into Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.

MIDDLE EAST NEWS
ALDO have reopned their flagship store at Dubai
Mall, unveiling a revitalised concept that elevates
both the brand and the customer journey. Located
on the ground floor opposite the iconic Dubai
Aquarium, the newly renovated store reintroduces
ALDO with a bold, modern identity at the heart
of one of the world’s most prestigious retail
destinations. The refreshed ALDO store features
a spacious, contemporary layout, integrating
women’s, men’s and accessories collections
into a seamless, unified space that caters to a
broad spectrum of style-conscious shoppers. A
key addition to the concept is the Charm Bar - a
personalisation zone designed to enhance self-
expression and drive deeper brand engagement
through customisable accessories.

PREMIUM DEVELOPMENT ARADA OPENS FIRST

LAUNCHED IN ARJAN PRECISION WELLNESS SITE

Prospect, in partnership with Mulk Properties, has announced Arada has unveiled Akala, positioning it as the world’s first
the launch of The LX, an AED350M boutique office and retail precision wellness destination and a new global hospitality
development situated in Arjan. Set for handover in Q3 2027, The and branded residences concept. The brand name derives
LX features 71 premium boutique office units and two curated from an ancient Sanskrit word meaning ‘beyond time’.
retail spaces. The flagship development, Akala Hotel & Residences,
With demand for flexible, high-specification office spaces will house 534 branded residences located between Dubai
at an all-time high in Dubai, The LX is positioned to fill a International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Downtown
significant gap in Dubai’s evolving commercial real estate sector, Dubai. The project comprises two 220m towers which are
the companies said. connected by a shared podium containing spa, fitness and
“The LX marks our strategic entry into Dubai’s commercial clinical wellness facilities.
property segment and we’ve done so with intention and insight,” Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Executive Vice
said Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk International. Chairman of Arada, said: “With Akala, we are creating
Rajat Verma, Co-Founder of Prospect, said the project will be a sanctuary that reflects how people want to live today,
a targeted solution to an urgent market demand. “Our goal has where peak health, personal performance and rest are all
always been to develop where demand is real and rising. Arjan is part of the same experience. Akala is designed for the next
on the cusp of a commercial renaissance and The LX will be at generation of global citizens who want to live better, happier
the forefront of that transformation.” and longer.”

12 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL JUNE/JULY 2025