The Middle East

Dubai’s efforts to position itself as a global centre for the Islamic economy, combined with its standing as the world’s second-largest showcase for global brands, allows it to play a pivotal role in retail development and innovation. In October 2015 Dubai played host to the Global Islamic Economy Summit, where experts gathered to consider the...

Although economic headwinds are posing challenges for Dubai’s retail sector, automotive retailers remain optimistic, buoyed by several years of strong sales growth for family saloons, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and high-performance sports cars.

The combination of alluring destination malls and a rapidly expanding airline has created a “fly-and-buy” shopping economy in Dubai in recent years, but retailers in the emirate have found it more difficult to tap into the broader global potential of e-commerce. “E-commerce is the largest threat and the biggest opportunity,” Nisreen Shocair,...

Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) expects an influx of visitors to come by the turn of the decade, and these projections are helping to drive the construction of theme parks, hospital wings, shopping malls and several new hotels. Dubai announced total international visitor figures of 14.2m for 2015, an increase of 7.5...

The importance of learning, cultural awareness and artistic appreciation was placed centre stage in Dubai when the UAE declared 2016 to be the Year of Reading. The nation’s rulers re-emphasised the role of the written word in helping to foster creativity and innovation among Emiratis and other residents. The new Opera House opening in Dubai is...