Marks & Spencer, the British clothing retailer, is set to open a store in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates as part of a major expansion plan across the Gulf.
Market share: Retailers setting out their stall in the UAE
Last Updated: June 5, 2011
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The brand, which is owned by Al-Futtaim in the UAE, also plans to launch stores in Muscat, Bahrain city and Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall.
Mile Franicevic, the general manager for Ikea in the Middle East and previously the acting director of retail for Al-Futtaim, said the company was expanding the brand due to its growing popularity.
"You have to be in the right locations in the right malls, it's all about the location," said Mr Franicevic.
Other Al-Futtaim brands, such as Ace and Plug-Ins, are likely to go into Yas Mall next year when it is expected to open. The Festival City store in Dubai will remain the retailer's flagship outlet in the UAE.
To aid the expansion, Al-Futtaim is due to sign a new general manager for Marks & Spencer and has appointed an operations director, Mr Franicevic said.
The top market for M&S in the region, in terms of sales growth last year, was Qatar, followed by Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.
In the first five months of this year, sales at Marks & Spencer grew between 6 and 8 per cent on the same period last year, Mr Franicevic said.
Analysts welcomed the move in to Mall of the Emirates, which would provide the brand with local access to those expatriates living in and around Dubai Marina, Al Barsha and Jumeirah.
"I certainly think now is a good time to expand stores. At the end of the day, Al-Futtaim and Marks & Spencer know their business," said Stuart Gissing, he regional director for Colliers International.
rjones@thenational.ae
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
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Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
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Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
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Price, base: Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.4L four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.4L / 100km
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Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
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Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
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Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
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Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
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