DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, will open the Middle East's first Bloomingdale's store.
The American department store will be managed and operated by Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group. The 146,000 sq ft Bloomingdale's store will showcase 'Bloomie's' entire range in addition to a 54,000 sq ft home store.
Galeries Lafayette, the French retailer, is also opening its first Middle East outlet as The Dubai Mall's anchor store.
Mr Jim Badour, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls Group, said: "Bloomingdale's at The Dubai Mall marks the beginning of a new retail culture, and positions Dubai as the ultimate shopping destination offering the best of global brands."
Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, said: "Bloomingdale's tagline, 'Like No Other Store in the World,' is a perfect summation of the retail experience at The Dubai Mall, envisaged as a global lifestyle and shopping destination."
Mr Khalid Al Tayer, Chief Operating Officer, Al Tayer Group, said: "As a pioneer of luxury retail, Al Tayer Group adds another dimension to the retail landscape of the region by representing an iconic brand at a landmark destination. With the introduction of Bloomingdale's, Al Tayer Group adds to the Middle East consumer's appetite for the finest in international brand offerings."
"This will be our company's first overseas location, and we expect to learn a great deal about how our brands translate internationally," said Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's, Inc., parent company of Bloomingdale's. "Dubai offers a unique opportunity for Bloomingdale's. It is a fast-growing, affluent marketplace that has emerged as an international destination for tourism, sporting events and business."
The Dubai Mall is part of the US$20 billion Downtown Burj Dubai, which is anchored by Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building. The mall will have over 1,200 stores and 160 F&B outlets, and feature attractions including Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre; the world's largest indoor Gold Souk; Fashion Avenue; the Dubai Ice Rink; KidZania(R); SEGA Republic(R), and a 22-screen cineplex.
