The Middle East retail landscape is in strong shape. What’s especially gratifying is that Dubai is – and will continue to be – a dominant leader in the sector.
Global retailers are smart people who make smart decisions. They keep coming to Dubai – and other major centres in the GCC – because the emirate is highly lucrative as a retail hub. The fact that Dubai has the second largest range of retail brands in the world represented here – outside of London – is testament to the hunger and desire of global players to establish themselves in the city.
Of course, the retail sector is vulnerable to global trends and issues. But that’s a constant factor around the world that’s not region-specific. The major challenge we sometimes face in Dubai is simply keeping up with the pace of change and new developments as more malls, shopping centres and district retail concepts continue to be introduced and flourish here.
Laila Mohammad Suhail is the CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
To read more, get your copy of Vision & Views.
Watsons to open 20 new stores in the GCC
In 2020, global health & beauty retailer AS Watson Group signed its
April 29, 2024 | By Rupkatha BAsda and Deliverect Deepen Partnership to Power Rapid Delivery Across Asda Express
SQUATWOLF’s Kuwait Flagship Store Anchors Its Regional Growth Ambitions
Global beauty icon Ulta Beauty to make Riyadh debut at Panorama Mall
/ 
For decades, Haldiram’s built deep recall across the UAE through its packaged
When House of Habanero opened its first physical location at Alserkal Avenue
Union Coop has completed a significant expansion of its Hatta Souq branch,
Saudi Arabia is set to welcome U.S. food exporters this week, as
Majid Al Futtaim has officially entered the discount retail segment with the
As convenience increasingly becomes currency in the region’s grocery landscape, Union Coop
As wellness becomes a lifestyle in the UAE, the grocery aisle is
Grandiose, one of the leading grocery retailers in the UAE with a
With shifting consumer behaviour, rising cost pressures, regulatory changes, and rapid digitization,
Union Coop’s blend of retail expansion, digital innovation, and community focus is
Abu Dhabi-based MAIR Group has marked a pivotal stage in its transformation
In a move that blurs the line between shopping and investing, Apparel
/ 
Why cinemas, wellness sanctuaries and cultural districts are becoming emotional infrastructure for
In a retail landscape dominated by shelves stacked with finished products, Oo
Asda, the UK’s third-largest grocery retailer, has strengthened its partnership with Deliverect
Homegrown Ventures announced its investment in PawPots, an innovative provider of fresh,
Speed and accuracy have become non-negotiable in the current logistics landscape. In
Dubai, UAE – 19 May 2025 – FancyTech A&M (Advertising & Marketing) Awards, is
The Retail Reboot Summit 2025 culminated spectacularly with the inaugural FancyTech A&M
Pet ownership in the UAE has transformed dramatically over the past two
An exclusive piece contributed By Oliver Morgan, Partner, Real Estate Development &
The UAE, particularly Dubai, is a melting pot of cultures. However, introducing
Previous Article
