Retail

With a strong pipeline of retail space under construction, including major regional destination malls and shopping developments to serve untapped communities, Abu Dhabi’s consumers can look forward to new experiences, fresh brands and greater choice. Existing operators are re-thinking mall management to give more prominence to food and beverage outlets, such as fine dining and the latest fast-food concepts, to reflect the changing tastes of a cosmopolitan population. Retail has a key role to play in the business environment as part of the emirate’s strategic shift towards a more diversified economy as described in the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. Entrepreneurial Emiratis are currently behind many of the enterprises that form the bedrock of the sector. This chapter contains an interview with Tariq Ahmed Saeed Al Wahedi, CEO, Agthia Group.