Emaar Properties, developers of The Dubai Mall, has announced that its flagship shopping destination attracted over 75 million people visitors in 2013, a 15% growth compared to 65 million in 2012.
The mall’s 1,200 plus retail outlets recorded a 26% rise in sales during 2013 compared to the previous year. According to global business consulting firm Bain & Company, over 50% of all luxury goods sold in Dubai last year were purchased at The Dubai Mall. Over 40% of the visitors to the mall were tourists, with a majority of the overseas visitors coming from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, China, India, Russia and Europe.
“The record visitor arrival to The Dubai Mall in 2013 is a powerful statement that seals Dubai’s reputation globally as a business and leisure hub. The socio-economic impact of the mall on the Emirate’s economy is tremendous, having generated more than 25,000 jobs and consistently driving the growth of the city’s retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors – the core contributors to Dubai’s GDP,” says Abdulla Lahej, Group CEO, Emaar Properties.
“The surge in visitor arrivals and the growth in retail sales are indicators not just of the popularity of the mall but also of Dubai as a preferred destination for shopping and luxury lifestyle experiences. Having established Dubai as a global fashion capital, we are now further enhancing the fashion and lifestyle choices at the mall with the expansion of the Fashion Avenue by another 1 million sqft, which will add 150 new brands to the mall,” adds Nasser Rafi, CEO, Emaar Malls Group.