http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/retailen-usCopyright 2010 ABQ Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:04:00 GMT5014476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/retailhttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318140433/Alshaya Invests For Growth At Mirdif City Centre M. H. Alshaya Co. ('Alshaya'), one of the Middle East's leading retailers welcomed the opening today of Mirdif City Centre, and celebrated the successful arrival of twenty nine brands* to Dubai's newest mall. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:09:30 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100318140433Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318133310/Crate and Barrel opens first store in DubaiAl Tayer Trends opens the first Crate and Barrel store in the Middle East in Dubai, also the brand's first venture outside North America. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:38:54 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100318133310Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318110857/Bonyan Closes EGP 185 Million Loan for DesignopolisBonyan for Development and Trade announced today that it has finalized arrangements for an EGP 185 million syndicated loan to finalize the completion of Designopolis, the first furniture and home accessories mega-mall in the Middle East and North Africa. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:26:32 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100318110857Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318083804/Sharjah City Centre Educates Budding Retailers Seven budding retailers from Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology had 'hands on' exposure to a variety of concepts of the retail industry this week as they learned the tricks of the trade by experts at Sharjah City Centre.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:51:26 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100318083804Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318081859/Damas opens new store at premier shopping destination Damas the international jeweller based in the Middle East has opened a brand new 18k store at the region's recently opened Mirdif City Centre on 16 March 2010. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:45:58 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100318081859Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318072501/Trade between Brazil and GCC increase from USD 2.4 billion in 2001 to USD 6.3 billion in 2009More than 30 Brazilian exporters representing over 100 leading Brazilian producers and manufacturers in the food & beverage, construction and construction materials, furniture and decoration, and auto parts sectors will be exploring various business and investment opportunities in the Middle East during Brasil Trade 2010, which will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel - Dubai Festival City from May 9 to 11, 2010.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:17:09 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100318072501Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318043610/Shopping Week for mobile phone sector launched in SharjahThe first Shopping Week for the mobile phone retail sector is being launched today by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of its efforts to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:52:20 GMTEmirates Business 24/7 ZAWYA20100318043610Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100318050300/Retailcorp sheds raft of brandsThe retail arm of Dubai World is dropping a raft of brands as part of a radical overhaul of the company. Retailcorp World, which used to be known as Nakheel Retail, has closed its Lamborghini branded cafes and has cancelled plans to bring the US gourmet grocery chain Balducci's and the urban fashion brand Joe Bloggs to the region.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:18:09 GMTThe National ZAWYA20100318050300Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_17032010_180354/Crate and Barrel opens Dubai storeCrate and Barrel, the home furnishings retailer will invest over Dh30 million in its first international venture in Dubai.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:45:00 GMTGulf News GN_17032010_180354Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_17032010_180346/Lulu expands Oman hypermarketsUAE-based Lulu Hypermarkets Group is strengthening its presence in Oman with an investment of 114 million Omani riyals (Dh1.08 billion), revealed Yousuf Ali, managing director of Lulu Hypermarkets group, during his recent visit to Muscat.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:41:15 GMTGulf News GN_17032010_180346Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_17032010_180364/Diesel prices in UAE to increase by 9 fils a litre todayDubai's oil marketing companies ? Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc), Emirates Petroleum Products Company (Eppco) and Emarat have decided to raise the price of diesel by 9 fils a litre at their pumps effective today, an oil company official said.Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:40:29 GMTGulf News GN_17032010_180364Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZW20100317000004/UAE Majid Al Futtaim Plans 10 Shopping Malls At $4BDubai-based Majid Al Futtaim Properties plans to open 10 shopping malls in the Middle East region over the next five years at a total investment of about $4 billion.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:41:44 GMTZawya Dow Jones News ZW20100317000004Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20100317T082504ZJKF53/Jordan seeks larger share of Dead Sea cosmetics marketJordan is vying to break Israel's dominance of a major cosmetics industry based on Dead Sea minerals famous for their therapeutic qualities but, despite an abundance of mud, still has far to go.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:50:11 GMTAFP ANA20100317T082504ZJKF53Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100317083404/Jacky's Electronics drives up retail expansion Capitalising on a new shopping destination and upcoming developments among Dubai's fastest growth areas, Jacky's Electronics, the UAE's number one multi-brand consumer electronics retailer, has inaugurated its newest outlet at the Mirdif City Centre - the latest commercial development by Majid Al Futtaim Properties. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:45:25 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100317083404Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100317072537/Consumer confidence in the UAE increasesUAE consumer confidence continues to show signs of recovery but the country still has the most cautious outlook on the job market and business environment among its regional peer.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:40:01 GMTEmirates Business 24/7 ZAWYA20100317072537Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100317071602/American Eagle outfitters and M.H. Alshaya Co. open first stores in the Middle EastAmerican Eagle Outfitters Inc., (NYSE: AEO) a leading lifestyle apparel brand for women and men 15-to-25 years old, today opened its first flagship store outside of North America and its first store in the Middle East.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:30:08 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100317071602Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100317072132/Lakeland ventures out of Europe, debuts in the UAE Lakeland International, the leading provider of creative and innovative kitchenware, today announced its entry into the region with its flagship store opening at Mirdiff City Center. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:29:39 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100317072132Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100317044703/Popular kids candy banned in QatarA popular stick candy named CC Stick has been pulled off the shelves in Doha due to its potential health hazards for children.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:32:43 GMTThe Peninsula ZAWYA20100317044703Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_16032010_170352/Mirdif City Centre reflects balanced growth strategyMirdif City Centre, the latest retail offering by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, opened its doors yesterday with 350 of its 430 stores operating.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:26:18 GMTGulf News GN_16032010_170352Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100317042948/Mirdif City Centre In Dubai Opens To The PublicMirdif City Centre, the latest Dh3 billion retail offering by Majid Al Futtaim Properties, opened its doors Tuesday with 350 of its 430 stores operating.Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:35:24 GMTGulf News ZAWYA20100317042948Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316105241/Retailcorp World continues expansionRetailcorp World, the retail division of Dubai World, continues its expansion in the UAE, with the official launch today of Go Sport and Nike at the newly opened Mirdif City Centre, by Abdul Wahid Al Ulama, Executive Vice Chairman.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:12:12 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100316105241Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316095028/Azadea Group opens 14 stores at the new Mirdif City Center, DubaiThis year, Azadea Group is opening 14 of its premium brand names at Mirdif City Centre. Today, Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Pull and Bear, Oysho, Promod, Uterque, Sunglass Hut, Virgin Megastore and PAUL Restaurant & Bakery will open their doors to the public. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:26:49 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100316095028Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316095642/'Twenty Four Seven' stores to become 'Circle K'Elaph Special Acquisition Company (Elaph), the holding company of Twenty Four Seven, has announced the signing of a master license and franchise agreement to own and operate Circle K-branded convenience stores in the United Arab Emirates.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:25:51 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100316095642Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316040431/Regency Group to Open Hypermarket in Al Quoz Regency Group, a leading Dubai-based retail chain, on Monday said it would invest Dh300 million to expand footprint across the Gulf by growing into a 50-supermarket network over the next five years. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:23:33 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20100316040431Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316041253/High and Volatile Gold Prices Reduce Jewellery Demand in Saudi Arabia Jewellery demand in Saudi Arabia during the fourth quarter of 2009 was dampened by the high and volatile gold price, the flow-on effects of the global economic downturn and low spending on advertising and promotion, according to a presentation by the Gold and Jewellery Committee (GJC) of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) at the chamber headquarters. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:19:26 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20100316041253Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316045923/UAE tops region in logistics and supply chain performanceThe UAE ranks the highest in the region in terms of performance within the logistics and supply chain industry, marking 3.63 per cent growth during 2009, said an official.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:41:24 GMTEmirates Business 24/7 ZAWYA20100316045923Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100316061502/Investment permit given to build shopping complex in BasraThe investment commission in Basra has given an investment permit to establish a shopping complex in the north of the city at a total cost of $3.27 million U.S. dollarsTue, 16 Mar 2010 06:36:12 GMTAswat Aliraq ZAWYA20100316061502Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_15032010_160315/Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company introduces ?down market'Abu Dhabi Vegetable Oil Company (Advoc) recently introduced the concept called ?down market' as it strives to remove the middleman from the supply chain and pass on the cost benefits to the consumer, a top official told Gulf News.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMTGulf News GN_15032010_160315Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_15032010_160318/GCC Perfume sales comprise 20% of world marketThe market for fragrances in the GCC is estimated at Dh11 billion per annum, accounting for approximately 20 per cent of the world market according to a recent study by Epoch Messe Frankfurt GmbH, a Germany-based event organiser.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:59:16 GMTGulf News GN_15032010_160318Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100315110920/Abu Dhabi University launches Centre of Excellence for Logistics and Supply Chain ManagementThe Abu Dhabi University (ADU), together with the Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group (ADUKG) and the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), announced the launch of the Gulf region's first-ever Centre of Excellence for Logistics and Supply Chain Management.Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:27:25 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100315110920Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100315045608/Rise in Petrol Reserve in IranDeputy manager of National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIOPDC) said the company has stored 58 percent more than the amount of petrol stored up to March 3, 2009.Mon, 15 Mar 2010 06:51:42 GMTIran Daily ZAWYA20100315045608Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_14032010_150313/UAE retail sector tops in regionThe UAE ranks first in the retail business environment league for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region this year with its strong wealth and high consumer spending, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in a report.Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:41:35 GMTGulf News GN_14032010_150313Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100314110415/UAE Ranks First In Regional Retail Environment SurveyOn top of the remarkable resilience of Dubai's trade flows to the economic slowdown, the retail sector has displayed strong growth performance, stated a recently-released analysis by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry.Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:24:37 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100314110415Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100314065028/UAE electronics sector may see 20% growthDespite a dull 2009 and the depressed economic climate, the electronics industry in the UAE can expect to grow by 15 per cent to 20 per cent this year, given there are no unpleasant surprises, according to Deepak J Babani, CEO of the Eros Group.Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:10:55 GMTEmirates Business 24/7 ZAWYA20100314065028Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100313041303/Massive fire guts Jeddah warehouse A huge fire broke out north of Jeddah's Safa district near the city's main fruit and vegetable market on Friday evening. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:56:48 GMTArab News ZAWYA20100313041303Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100313043228/3M Sees Bright ME Prospects When we hear the name 3M, the first thing that may come to mind would be Post-it Notes and several other office articles. It may come as a surprise though, to learn that 3M is actually more than that. Sat, 13 Mar 2010 07:53:06 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20100313043228Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100312065903/Gordon Ramsay restaurant opens at Pearl-Qatar International restaurateur and three Michelin Star celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has opened his first maze Gordon Ramsay restaurant in the Middle East on the lavish Pearl-Qatar. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:44:10 GMTThe Peninsula ZAWYA20100312065903Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100312061450/Post-DSF, Malls Try to Keep Interest Alive With the Dubai Shopping Festival over, malls are acting to keep the visitors' interest. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:18:56 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20100312061450Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_11032010_120341/New Yorker opens its 777th store in DubaiNew Yorker, the international fashion brand, yesterday said it has brought its fashion label to Dubai. The brand which fashions trendy youthful styles opened its flagship store at Dubai Mall yesterday, setting a new milestone: its 777th store worldwide. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:58:24 GMTGulf News GN_11032010_120341Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100311034532/Jordan: Upturn in local garment industry hinges on sufficient gov't supportJordan's garment industry can pick up this year if it receives sufficient support from the government, investors said Wednesday.Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:41:40 GMTJordan Times ZAWYA20100311034532Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100311050728/Direct food import ends agents' dominanceMore than 400 food items are being imported directly into the UAE and trade is proceeding smoothly after changes to the system that ended the dominance of agents, according to the Ministry of Economy.Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:01:12 GMTEmirates Business 24/7 ZAWYA20100311050728Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100310040758/Lulu Unveils Oman Expansion Plan to Boost Growth The region's top retail chain, Lulu, on Tuesday unveiled major expansion plans in Oman involving investments of more than OMR100 million, and said it expected its operations in the sultanate to contribute 25 per cent of total sales by next year. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:07:22 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20100310040758Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100309123117/The Dubai Mall hosts a record 5 million visitors during DSFThe Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, hosted an astonishing 5 million visitors during the one-month Dubai Shopping Festival, setting an all-time record in visitor footfall to the mall. Weekly visitor footfall during the festival month was an average 30 per cent more over regular weeks. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:06:38 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100309123117Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100309032032/Saudi families spend twice what they earn Saudi families spend nearly twice what they earn, according to Kuwaiti economist Jassem Al-Mutwwa. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:41:47 GMTArab News ZAWYA20100309032032Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100309041423/UAE Consumers Expect Economic Rebound to Start in 14 Months The UAE consumers are optimistic that economic rebound for the country could begin in 14 months, and expect a full recovery in late 2012, according to a study released on Monday. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:21:20 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20100309041423Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08032010_090305/Samsonite continues positive, steady growthThe UAE is the largest market for Samsonite in the Mena region, holding 42 per cent of regional sales.Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:30 GMTGulf News GN_08032010_090305Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100308114806/Fifth Avenue to Launch New Retail Store in CairoIn consequence to the expansion plan that Fifth Avenue has drawn up, the highline fashion jewelry and accessories chain announced setting up a new store in Designopolis, due to launch this month.Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:00:29 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100308114806Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20100308091547/'Al-Baddad' Signs Partnership Agreement with 'Al Shams Group'Al-Baddad International, the UAE-based leading technology innovator of mobile halls and smart warehouses and member of Al-Baddad Global Group, announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Al Shams Trading to establish its biggest branch in North Africa in Tripoli, Libya.Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:44:46 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20100308091547Open