Officials from shopping centers and retail commerce confirmed to "Emirates Today" that new expansions are underway to align with the launch of "Expo 2020 Dubai." These expansions include adding new retail spaces, new brands, specialized stores, as well as opening a new shopping center close to the exhibition grounds, and establishing a hypermarket operating on an "outlet" model selling products at low prices similar to wholesale prices.
**Dubai Outlet Mall**
Mohammed Nasser Khamas, CEO of Al-Ahli Holding Group and Dubai Outlet Mall, stated that the center has undertaken significant expansions in line with "Expo 2020 Dubai," including the addition of space reaching 1.8 million square feet, raising the total area related to the center to 3.5 million square feet. He added that the new expansions will enhance the competitiveness of the shopping center during the exhibition period by adding a large number of stores, restaurants, and retail shops. Khamas revealed that the center also plans to establish a hypermarket within the mall operating on an "outlet" model, selling products at low prices akin to wholesale prices.
**Mercato and Town Centre Jumeirah**
On her part, Nasreen Boustani, Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communication for Mercato and Town Centre Jumeirah, mentioned that they are expanding by adding new brands and stores in their shopping centers, keeping up with the surge of visitors that Dubai’s shopping centers are experiencing during "Expo 2020 Dubai." Boustani confirmed that "Expo 2020 Dubai" will be a driving force for increased traffic to shopping centers and malls from various visitor categories, leading them to add new stores in women's and children's clothing sectors, cosmetics and personal care, stationery, as well as new outlets for restaurants, currency exchange, and hair cutting services. She explained that the expansions will provide new options for shoppers and support the competitiveness of the country's markets in the retail sector.
**Lulu Hypermarket**
Similarly, Nanda Kumar, Corporate Communications Manager for Lulu International Shopping Group, revealed that the group intends to undertake new expansions concurrent with "Expo 2020 Dubai," most notably the opening of a shopping center near the Expo area, expected to be completed in the last quarter of this year. Kumar affirmed that local markets are currently witnessing competitive dynamics among shopping centers and retailers aiming to boost sales during the exhibition, which represents a significant push for the sector.
**Ibrahim Al-Bahr's Insights**
Ibrahim Al-Bahr, Director of Al-Bahr Consulting, attributed the heightened competitiveness in the shopping and retail sector during "Expo 2020 Dubai" to the exhibition representing an exceptional phase in the sector, introducing new categories of shoppers, including tourists and long-term visitors over a six-month period. He emphasized that the exhibition has increased competitiveness in the sector, as can be seen in various shopping centers' plans to accomplish their expansion projects during the exhibition period to capture a share of sales during the event.
