Dubai, UAE: The French retailing giant, Gant Hypermarket, is now the first retailer to have moved into Gardens Shopping Mall, part of the Nakheel group of projects, due to open February 26th, 2005. Gant management and IT team have been given the keys to their offices with the intention of getting a head start on the process of setting up. Gant management are very satisfied with the construction speed of the Mall and the support that they have received from Gardens Shopping Mall's management team.
Dubai is on course to possibly becoming the most visited city on the planet according to latest figures just released by Retail International, the specialist London based Middle East shopping centre consultancy. The study reveals that some 3.55 million sq. metres of space have been completed in shopping malls across the six GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar).
With the trend continuing in an upward direction, consumers can expect to see many shopping malls opening across the Emirates. In order to stand out from the rest, Gardens Shopping Mall has joined hands with Gant, one of the world's leading hypermarket brands based in France. Together, consumers will be offered the best choice by creating a 'one stop shopping destination'.
Chairman of Nakheel, Mr. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, believes that "Gardens Shopping Mall is a completely unique concept that will change the way Shopping Malls are viewed in the region. Having Gant on board is very exciting as it will add to Gardens' capabilities of being the place where people can find anything and everything they need."
In 2000, a partnership was forged between Retail Arabia, a member of the BMA group- one of the Gulf's largest and oldest retailing groups, and Groupe Casino, one of France's best-known and largest retailers. Together, these two companies will bring Gant to Dubai.
Commenting on the partnership, Robert Pinault, Director of Groupe Casino said, "The reason we were interested in opening a location in Dubai was because of the potential we saw in the city's market. It is no secret that Dubai is expanding at an exponential rate, as well as being an increasingly sought after tourist destination. Thus, it only made sense to look at the market as a possible choice to develop our next hypermarket."
Gardens Shopping Mall, a single level 150,000 sq. metre shopping centre will be anchored by the 18,000 sq. metre hypermarket, Gant. This addition to Sheikh Zayed Road will create a retail location that can ease the tension created by trying to enter the city. As well, it will also offer consumers a convenient and affordable shopping experience. Our goal at Gardens Shopping Mall is to present people with the best choice possible, but at a cost-effective price.
Thus, by incorporating Gant with Gardens Shopping Mall, customers will be able to find whatever it is they are searching. Gant stocks and sells over 65,000 products ranging from groceries, bakery and butchery products, textiles, fashion wear, shoes, jewellery, electronics, sporting goods, household items and accessories, cosmetics, perfumes and much more.
Andrew Chambers, General Manager of Gardens Shopping Mall noted that, "Consumers are becoming increasingly frustrated in having to deal with traffic congestion- especially after a long day. Our aim is to allow them to find everything they need under one roof so that they won't have to rush around the city in search of goods."
Mazher Papar, Director of Retail Arabia stated that, "A management team comprised of 20 people has arrived from Paris to manage the new store, ensuring that it is up to world-class standards. Due to Gant's size and range, we are certain that it will enable clientele the opportunity to find the merchandise they need with ease and we have employed 400 staff members to ensure that this will happen."
With the hypermarket securely in place, Gardens Shopping Mall will be able to deliver its promise of being a 'one-stop-shop,' where customers will be able to find everything they need under one roof. As the largest themed mall in the world, Gardens will not only be a shopping mall, but a destination venue as well. Based on the travels of 14th century Arab scholar, Gardens Shopping Mall will be an exciting centre for shopping and entertainment, while offering a lesson in history as well!
-Ends-
Media Info - Gardens Shopping Mall
Gardens Shopping Mall, A Nakheel Project, is conceived to celebrate Dubai's increasing role as one of the world's top shopping destinations. Located adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road between interchanges 5 and 6, the Mall will combine retail, entertainment, restaurants and family activities all within a uniquely themed environment that is designed to reflect the unique combination of various heritages and cosmopolitan lifestyle that is the very essence of Dubai. Construction is on schedule for an opening date of February 2005. The architectural inspiration behind the unique design of the shopping mall is based on the travels of the legendary Arab explorer Ibn Battuta. The mall will be segmented into six distinct architectural zones, representing key destinations visited by Ibn Battuta. Gardens Shopping Mall will also feature a 21 screen cinema Megaplex, including the UAE's first IMAX cinema, a fully themed children's play zone, themed garden areas and a uniquely designed food court. For further information, please contact octOpus on 04 2868275.
Media Info - Geant
GEANT hypermarket, is a part Groupe Casino, a French retailing giant with a turnover in excess of USD 30 billion per annum. In the year 2000 a strategic partnership was forged between Retail Arabia which is a part of the BMA Group - one of the largest and oldest retailing groups' in the Gulf with Groupe Casino to bring the Geant hypermarkets to major GCC countries. The international expertise of Groupe Casino, combined with the local market insight of Retail Arabia has created the best local adaptation of international standards in retailing.
The first Geant hypermarket was launched in Bahrain in May 2001 and is located in Bahrain's landmark mall - The Bahrain Mall. The hypermarket covers an area of over 130,000 square feet. GEANT stocks and sells everything - groceries, frozen foods, bakery products, butchery, seafood, textiles, fashionwear, shoes, jewellery, electronics, sporting goods, household items, household accessories, cosmetics, perfumes etc. A fabulous French bakery with over a hundred varieties of breads and cakes freshly baked everyday; an amazing array of over 140 varieties of freshest seafood and the biggest selection of electronics in Bahrain are some of the highlights of this hypermarket. This coupled with a no frills philosophy of offering to the customer quality products at the lowest prices plus the convenience of one stop shopping for all their needs has made it a runaway success in Bahrain. Geant attracts customers from all income groups from the low middle income families to the upper end of the income level. An aggressive all year round marketing and supported by through the line advertising strategy ensures a high level of customer flow and visibility for the brand.
Issued by octOpus on behalf of Gardens Shopping Mall.
For further information, please contact
Shereen Dury at
04 2868275/050 7690087 or
e-mail: shereend@octopusme.com
© Press Release 2004
