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WELCOME

Introduction

Chasing retail ambitions

T

he Sultanate of Oman has long been a source of fascination for me, especially having grown up in the UAE. Despite being a neighbouring country, its culture and dynamics seemed to be completely different to the rest of the region, with the sultanate seemingly content to move at its own pace and exist on its own terms, in stark contrast to the hyper-inflated growth around it. However, in recent years that impression has begun to be shaken off, with the country launching a wave of projects that seem certain to put it on the map, in more ways than one. Having begun with a raft of hospitality and tourism projects, ranging from high-end luxury through to resort-style living, the country is now turning its investment plans towards reshaping its retail landscape, keeping in mind its burgeoning youth population that demands offerings comparable to what they see in the rest of the region.

September 2019 | MEConstructionNews.com

Thus, the launch of Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ Mall of Oman is perfectly timed to capitalise on the growing appetite for retail destinations in the sultanate. Easily the biggest development of its type in Oman, the mall is set to transform the country’s social and economic landscape, offering a range of attractions and facilities that will allow it to stand out against the very best malls in the region, if not the world, once it opens in March 2021. Given the plethora of retail offerings cropping up across the region, this month’s upcoming Retail and Hospitality Construction Summit promises to be the place to be if you want to learn how retail and hospitality developers and builders are using the latest technologies and methodologies to create offerings that allow them to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. Do join us for an informative day of debate and discussion on September 30 at the Oberoi Hotel in Dubai.

Gavin Davids

GROUP EDITOR gavin.davids@cpitrademedia.com @MECN_Gavin MEConstructionNews me-construction-news