While Dubai is estimated to have around 717,000 sq m of new retail space by 2018, Abu Dhabi is expected to see a supply of 467,000 sq m of new space over the same period, said a top official, citing data from Dubai Chamber.

“Abu Dhabi is a magnificent location. Recent years have seen the emirate invest heavily in infrastructure and look for ways to diversify its economy. The government’s continuous efforts to boost varied forms of economy has seen the retail scene in the emirate develop, resulting in the growth of the sector,” said Bassam Saleh, marketing manager for Bawadi Mall.

Bawadi Mall has massive retail space which comprise of dining, entertainment and shopping facilities, he noted.

“The demand for our retail space just seems to keep rolling along. Restaurants and entertainment arenas are a significant part of our growth. At Bawadi Mall, our vibrant shopping combined with the arts and entertainment culture is a huge attraction for residents and tourists, increasing the footfall to our malls, and driving growth for the retail sector,” added Saleh.

Demand exists in Abu Dhabi for retail space due to the spending power of the residents, anticipated growth in tourism and a growing expatriate population with high incomes. It has been noted that more than 70 per cent of consumers in Abu Dhabi, UAE visit the mall at least once a week, reflecting the central role that malls play in people’s everyday lives.

Conducted by Brunswick Insight, the research showed that two thirds of consumers believe that shopping and dining options have improved considerably over the past five years, and the same number choose to stay and shop in Abu Dhabi rather than travelling elsewhere.

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is home to some 2.7 million people, according to government statistics. “With the growth in population, Abu Dhabi has experienced a massive increase in retail space. As such, mall and other retail centres have started to make an effort to reposition their facilities to become more attractive to both tenants and retailers. It is important that supply and demand must be considered when opening physical locations in the future,” concluded Saleh.

Bawadi Mall is one of the largest malls in Al Ain, reflecting a previous age of forts and clay-baked cladding. Anchored with a Carrefour hypermarket, the mall offers stores and concepts that are needed on a day-to-day basis, such as Daiso, the Japanese value chain, an Ace hardware, a Danube and an H&M alongside many other mid-level names. – TradeArabia News Service