Emaar Malls, the shopping malls and retail business majority-owned by Emaar Properties, has registered a full-year 2018 net profit of Dh2.23 billion ($607 million), up 7 per cent over the previous year's figure of Dh2.08 billion ($568 million).

Announcing the results for FY 2018, Emaar Malls said the revenue surged to hit Dh4.44 billion ($1.21 billion), around 23 per cent higher than the previous year's revenue of Dh3.629 billion ($988 million).

Recording consistent growth quarter-on-quarter, net profit for the fourth quarter (October to December) 2018 was Dh591 million ($161 million), a 10 per cent increase over the third quarter (July to September) 2018 net profit of Dh537 million ($146 million).

The revenue in the fourth quarter hit Dh1.214 billion ($331 million), up 8 per cent over the previous quarter's revenue of Dh1.129 billion ($307 million), said the statement from Emaar.

One of the world’s largest mall operators with a total gross leasable area of 6.7 million sq ft, Emaar Malls also maintained strong occupancy levels across its assets – The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina Mall, Souk Al Bahar, Gold & Diamond Park and the Community Retail Centres – at 93 per cent.

The malls and retail centres together welcomed 136 million visitors in 2018, thus registering an increase of 5 per cent over the total visitor footfall of 130 million in 2017.

On the solid performance, Emaar Properties Chairman Mohamed Alabbar said: "The malls and retail sector continues to be  highly competitive and the successful performance of Emaar Malls in 2018 gained from the strong economic fundamentals of Dubai and the successful opening of the Fashion Avenue extension."

"We will continue to contribute to the economy through sustained investment in our assets to delight residents and visitors from around the world. Emaar Malls is staying ahead of the curve by investing in innovative concepts and introducing added choices and experiences that appeal to the new generation of customers," he stated.

Emaar Malls CEO Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne said: "The success story recorded by The Dubai Mall in 2018, as we marked its tenth anniversary, is a strong testament to the value-add that the company brings to the retail sector in the region."

"Our teams continue to focus on delivering outstanding experiences to our end customers and on executing on our strategic expansion plans – not only by creating new and world-class retail assets – but also by transforming our proposition through digital and omnichannel strategies that will help create long-term value for all our stakeholders," he added.

The Dubai Mall marked a milestone in 2018, celebrating its tenth anniversary and opening the Fashion Avenue expansion, which positions the mall as a global luxury fashion hub, said the statement from the Emirati developer.

With the addition of over 150 new retail outlets as part of the Fashion Avenue expansion, the mall now has over 1,350 retailers and 170 plus F&B choices, it stated.

The mall reiterated its position as the world’s most visited retail and lifestyle destination by welcoming 83 million visitors in 2018, an increase of 4 per cent compared to the 80 million visitors it welcomed annually during the last four consecutive years.

As part of its omnichannel strategy, Emaar Malls continued to build on the operational capabilities and efficiency of the leading Middle East online fashion and beauty retailer Namshi, for which it acquired majority control in August 2017.

Namshi recorded sales of Dh849 million ($231 million) in 2018, an increase of 16 per cent compared to the previous year, it added.

Emaar Malls also reported that Emaar Development has made remarkable progress in the construction of Dubai Hills Mall, a family centric retail district in Dubai Hills Estate, with planned opening in the first quarter of 2020, said Emaar in its statement.

Redevelopment of the Meadows Village to increase its GLA by approximately 75,000 sq. ft. is also progressing for scheduled completion in late 2019.

Emaar Malls Community Retail portfolio also expanded in 2018 with the addition of The Springs Souk, a new retail destination with over 240,000 sq ft gross leasable area, said the statement.

The Spring Souk offers several innovative features including the first Reel Cinemas dedicated for children – Reel Junior – and Dig It, a unique construction-activity based entertainment concept.

In upcoming expansions, Emaar Malls has made significant progress on the Fountain Views and Zabeel extensions that link The Dubai Mall to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and Financial Centre Road respectively, it stated.

Both retail extensions are planned to open in the first half of 2019 and will jointly add 4,500 additional parking spaces to The Dubai Mall, it added.-TradeArabia News Service