SHOP PL& AY
Dubai’s shopping malls have more than just retail outlets. Neha Gupta Kapoor explores the entertainment options available at these places
L ast year, real estate consultancy Àrm, CBRE published Àndings from its survey that ranks Dubai second after London as “the most important shopping destination in the world”. The emirate has held this position for six consecutive years so far. In its 2016 edition of “How Global is the Business of Retail?”, as reported by Arabian
Business, CBRE goes on to say that of all the retail brands in Dubai, international brands make up about 57 per cent.
Dubai’s retail sector can easily attribute its growth to fashion and beauty enthusiasts who see much value in investing in such products. Next, tourists from neighbouring countries and especially India Ànd it more feasible to shop when on holiday here, because of the absence of consumption taxes. This beneÀts retailers too. But some of the main reasons for Dubai being attractive to retail brands is aͿordable real estate, location of malls and the strategic position of Dubai — between the east and the west — on the world map.
Here is a look at four places where you can enjoy a good dose of retail therapy, coupled with some recreational activities.
CITY CENTRE MIRDIF
It is the Àrst shopping mall in the region to acquire a LEED certiÀcation. City Centre Mirdif uses less water and energy, and emits reduced greenhouse gases as compared to the other malls in Dubai. The certiÀcation is
commendable for a structure of this scale that has over 430 stores, in addition to leisure and entertainment attractions that include a spa, grooming salons, gym and F&B outlets.
Fashion brands range from street to luxury. To name a few, you will Ànd H&M, Cotton On, Zara, Sketchers, Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Hackett, Mont Blanc and Ted Baker here. City Centre Mirdif is also the place to visit if you’re looking to buy home appliances, electronics and furniture.
Entertainment
On the Àrst Áoor is Magic Planet with family-friendly rides and games. One of the more popular attractions here is Orbi Dubai, which is a multi-sensory custombuilt theatre with a 35-metre wide screen, audio-visual technology and interactive walk-through touch-points where visitors can “explore the mysteries of nature”. (Open Sunday-Wednesday 10am10pm, Thursday-Saturday until midnight; ticket prices start from AED 100/`1,747; orbidubai.com.) There is also iFly, an indoor skydiving space; Sky Trail, an eight-metre climbing wall; Yalla! a bowling alley; and a ten-screen cinema complex at the mall.
Services
Those unfamiliar with Dubai will Ànd the mall’s free shuttle bus service helpful. It connects to select hotels in the vicinity. Free wiÀ is available to all visitors, as are photocopy and fax facilities. You may even plan a visit to this mall a few hours before your Áight because of the convenience of a luggage room that oͿers to hold your suitcases for free. City Centre Mirdif is located in the residential area of Mirdif on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, and is open Sunday-Wednesday 10am10pm, Thursday-Saturday until midnight; citycentremirdif.com.
MALL OF THE EMIRATES
This multi-level shopping centre features around 630 outlets under fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing, as well as department stores and more than 90 F&B options. In its Fashion Dome and Luxury Wing, there are over 80 international designer brands including Alexander Mc4ueen, Audemars Piguet, Bugatti, Bvlgari, Canali, Chopard, Fendi, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and Vertu.
Entertainment
Art enthusiasts will Ànd interest
in DUCTAC (Dubai Community Theatre and Art Centre), a hub for Dubai’s creative community. Performances, exhibitions and workshops take place every evening at the various venues here that include a 543-seat theatre, a black box studio theatre, The Gallery of Light, dance and rehearsal studios, and 18 art studios and classrooms. On October 13, DUCTAC will showcase a performance by SuÀ singers and musicians from Amritsar — ENBD Classics: The Wadali Brothers.
Mall of the Emirates too has a Magic Planet. It oͿers a host of rides and games, which include a racing simulator, RoboCoaster a two-person ride, and a 4D theatre experience. There is also a dome with artiÀcial snow in the mall. It has a ski school, penguin encounter arena where you can play with the birds for a few minutes, and enjoy rides on the snow. VO; Cinemas here has 14 screens.
Services
Mall of the Emirates has a luggage storing facility that is located near the metro link. Photocopy facilities are available too. A free shuttle bus service connects to hotels along Sheikh