Sultanate of Oman to welcome its first IKEA megastore at Oman Avenues Mall

Muscat – The globally renowned furniture brand, IKEA, is all set to open its first megastore in the Sultanate of Oman with Oman Avenues Mall by the first quarter of 2022. The announcement comes following the signing of a development agreement between the Al Taher Group, a diversified business group in the Sultanate, the developers of Oman Avenues Mall, and the UAE based conglomerate, Al-Futtaim Group, the IKEA franchisee in Oman as well as other territories like UAE, Qatar and Egypt.

Commenting on the announcement, Sh. Mohammed Bin Saud Al Khalili, the board member of the Al Taher Group, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with Al-Futtaim Group, to bring the globally renowned IKEA brand to Oman Avenues Mall. We believe that IKEA Oman will not only strengthen the position of Oman Avenues Mall as a premier shopping destination but also position the mall firmly as the shopping mall for the whole of Oman.”

The mall is operated and managed by retail giant Lulu Group International, one of the largest mall operators in the MENA region. The group is spearheaded by its Chairman and Managing director, Mr Yusuffali M.A. The group is a pioneer in retail operations with Lulu Hypermarket being the front runner in grocery and department store segment in the Middle East and various other territories. 

Expressing gratitude to the Al Taher and Al-Futtaim Groups, Mr Ashraf Ali M A, Executive Director of Lulu Group International, said, “We are pleased and proud to be hosting IKEA at the Oman Avenues Mall. The opening of one of the largest IKEA stores in the Middle East at Oman Avenues Mall, is a testament to the trust retailers have in us. We are committed to building Oman Avenues Mall as the most trusted and dominant mall brand in Oman and serve our valued customers across Oman.”

The development of the IKEA store is part of the mall’s redevelopment and transformation campaign plans announced in 2018. It has already completed two phases of expansion and the second phase expansion saw the introduction of Oman’s largest cinema complex, which is operated by Cinepolis, the global cinema’s entertainment brand.

IKEA would be part of the mall’s third phase expansion wherein along with IKEA development. It will also execute a holistic enhancement of the mall’s infrastructure, including developing a direct flyover connecting the malls parking as well as enhancements to the mall connection roads. These additional car parking spaces would connect vertically and horizontally to the new IKEA store as well as the upper levels of the existing property to name a few. Construction works are currently in full swing to achieve the planned opening date. The new IKEA store would position Oman Avenues mall as the favourite shopping mall of the nation.

 Mr Vinod Jayan, Managing Director of IKEA – Al-Futtaim Group, spoke about the brand’s strong expansion roadmap. “We are very excited to announce the entry of IKEA into Oman, which wouldn’t have been possible without an expert partner like the Al Taher Group and a shopping mall platform like Oman Avenues mall. Choosing the right partner, right location, and developing the right infrastructure for an IKEA store is critical to the brand’s expansion in a new market. We are looking forward to a mutually rewarding association,” he said.

Spread across two floors, the planned new IKEA store is one of the largest stores of the brand in the region and expected to not only cater to the immediate catchment but also the whole of Oman as a favoured destination. 

About Oman Avenues Mall

 At present, Oman Avenues Mall offers a wide-ranging ensemble of retail choices spread across 80,000 square metres of built-up space in 1,05,000 square metres. This consummate shopping destination has more than 200 retail outlets with a remarkable league of retailers unparalleled by any other shopping centre in Oman. Located in the heart of the city with a host of distinctive amenities and services, Oman Avenues Mall delivers a refreshing experience for customers.

From branded apparels to fashion accessories, jewellery to personalised gifts, electronic appliances to entertainment options, multi-cuisine restaurants to cafes, Oman Avenues Mall offers an all-in-one shopping, dining and entertainment experience to locals and tourists alike.