Retail group to showcase global fashion brands and accessories

Dubai, March 3, 2009: Azadea Group, one of the world's fastest growing retail groups will extend its store network by opening four full-fledged concept outlets next month at Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City.

Azadea operates more than 45 leading international franchises in the Middle East, GCC region and Eastern Europe and comes to Festival Centre with an enviable basket of global high street brands covering fashion clothing and accessories, eyewear design and designer footwear.

The Lebanon-based group will showcase Mango, Salsa Jeans, Massimo Dutti and  Oysho, and will occupy nearly 11,250 sqm of prime floor space at what is now acknowledged as one of the finest shopping and leisure destination in the UAE.

Philip Evans Retail Leasing Director, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, owners and promoters of Dubai Festival City, welcomed Azadea Group's decision to do business at Festival Centre.

"We have much to offer Azadea because Festival Centre has become the sophisticated lifestyle destination of the UAE. Festival Centre has adapted a highly aggressive twin strategy which entails boosting its retail selection on the one hand and enhancing customer loyalty on the other. Given the highly competitive retail scenario in the UAE we have consciously taken a decision to base our growth strategy on customer trends and preferences. In return, these brands enhance our everyday High Street fashion offer, our association with Azadea's brands will create an outstanding platform for Festival Centre to add to our guests' experience," Philip said.  

He also said this reiterated Festival Centre's prominence in Dubai and further belied assumptions that global retailers were wary of expansion during the current economic downturn.

Adrian Lee, General Manager, Azadea Group agrees with Philip. "We look forward to being part of the high street repertoire at Festival Centre. Our strong commitment to become a major player in the UAE market cannot be complete without our presence here. The tenant mix and customer profile fits our brand portfolio perfectly and matches with our concept as well - a place dedicated to the entire family. We are proud to be part of this enduring relationship."

Festival Centre is a 2,060,000 square feet gross leasable area retail centre with over 600 shops including over 25 international flagship stores. It hosts the SkyWalk Food Express, Fitness First, Festival Cinemas, traditional souk-style Trade Routes, Bowling City, the 25,000 sqft. Dubai Gold Marketplace and the yet-to-open premier casual dining pavilions, Taste & Hub.

Over the last year, Festival Centre has received several accolades from members of the industry. It was named 'International Shopping Centre of the Year' at the Global Retail & Leisure International (RLI) Awards and also voted the 'Best Event Venue' and runner up for 'Best Shopping Mall in Dubai' in the Best in Dubai Awards 2008.

Azadea group is a worldwide fashionable lifestyle company, prominent regionally for the breadth and depth of its elite fashion retail brands. It offers many of the world's most prestigious brands in clothing, accessories, food, multimedia, sporting goods and home furnishings.

The Group employs more than 5,000 people who support over 250 strategically located stores in major malls and shopping avenues. Azadea currently has offices in Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, Romania, Egypt, Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) is the real estate development and operations arm of Al-Futtaim group. AFGRE is responsible for the origination, conception, development, procurement and construction of mega projects and the leasing and operation of these projects after completion.

In addition, AFGRE develops and operates an extensive multi million dollar portfolio of individual corporate real estate and investment assets across the MENA region.

The two current flagship mixed use urban communities under the Festival City brand are Dubai Festival City (5.2 million square metres) and Cairo Festival City (3 million square metres).

Designed to capture the ground breaking 21st Century spirit of Dubai, Dubai Festival City was the first fully integrated mega project to be progressively delivered in the UAE. Encompassing the finest shopping, dining, entertainment, homes, schools, offices and leisure, Dubai Festival City is formed into three distinct districts and connected by a 30 kilometre internal road network and creekside promenade. Upon completion, Dubai Festival City will be home to 50,000 residents living in 20,000 villas and apartments and a place to work for 50,000 office staff.

Cairo Festival City is the second fully integrated mega project to be progressively delivered. Encompassing the finest shopping, dining, entertainment, homes, school, offices and leisure, Cairo Festival City is connected by an internal road network and a necklace of parks interlaced throughout the city. Upon completion, Cairo Festival City will be home to over 13,000 residents in villas and apartments and a place to work for 50,000 office staff. 

Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate has received several awards this year:

1. Construction World Gulf Real Estate Awards 2008

'Top 3 Middle East Developers' for Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate

2. Global Retail & Leisure International Awards 2008

'International Shopping Centre of the Year' for Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City

3. Best in Dubai Awards 2008

'Best Event Venue' for Festival centre, Dubai Festival City

'Best Shopping Mall in Dubai' Runner Up for Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City

© Press Release 2009