| CASHING IN ON
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
With all the glitz and glory going on in the
United Arab Emirates there is a huge demand for
material goodies to satisfy the whim of visitors
(think Las Vegas in the sand).
Just-style.com ran this today and I thought
you might want to see it. Because of the heat
and sun – this part of the world might be
receptive to great hats. If anyone has information
on this retail segment, let us know (you can reach
me at dfyoga@aol.com).
By Paul Cochrane
The clothing market in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE) is experiencing stellar growth on the back
of rising consumer spending, a surge in tourists,
and 145% growth in retail space as new malls and
shopping centers spring up.
The UAE, Dubai in particular, has positioned
itself as a prime shopping destination for the
Middle East, Europe and Asia. As a result, retail
outlets cater from traditional Arab clothing demands
to the latest Western designs and brands.
British retailers are predominant - Debenhams,
Next, Monsoon, and Marks & Spencer are already
there. M&S has five stores in the UAE, which
includes a 64,000 square foot store in Dubai Festival
City. Another one is to open in Jebel Ali in Dubai.
Other retailers are also expanding their presence
in the UAE, with H&M Hennes and Mauritz opening
two new stores in March. With Dubai as a shopping
hub for high end lifestyles, retailers and fashion
houses are increasingly launching new clothes
lines at large hotels or malls in the Emirates.
As a result, Roberto Cavalli, Yves Saint Laurent,
Burberry, Ducatti, Armani, Paul and Shark, Paul
Smith, and Ralph_Lauren, to Rodeo Drive, Diesel,
DKNY, Hugo Boss, Cerruti Jeans and Massimo_Dutti,
French Connection, Vero Moda, Zara, Jack and Jones,
Mango, River_Island, Esprit, Lacoste, Gant and
Levi’s have also opened there.
Although the UAE retail sector has experienced
surging growth in the last several years, the
sector is slated to grow by 145% this year to
27 million square feet, according to the Middle
East Council of Shopping Centers.
Dubai hopes to attract 15 million tourists by
2015, compared to 6.5 million last year.
For more just-style.com feature articles check
out:
http://www.just-style.com/article.aspx?ID=97517&lk=dm.
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