Business Traveller (India)

SHOP PL& AY

Dubai’s shopping malls have more than just retail outlets. Neha Gupta Kapoor explores the entertainm­ent options available at these places

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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

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 ??  ?? Left and bottom: City Centre Mirdif; and Mall of the Emirates
Left and bottom: City Centre Mirdif; and Mall of the Emirates

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