KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)
Following on from a strong demand seen during the Eid Al Fitr holiday, retailers around the country are hoping to replicate their success and continue to attract guests during the festive season.
Speaking to Aletihad, Al Ghurair Centre, one of the oldest malls in the country located in Dubai’s Deira district, revealed that they had witnessed an 18% increase YoY in footfall during the last Eid period and expected to achieve similar results this Eid Al Adha.
“During this year’s Eid Al Fitr celebrations, we recorded an 18% increase in customer footfall in comparison to the same period in 2023. We anticipate a similarly significant turnout in the days leading up to Eid and during the holy occasion itself with, we hope, a 15% increase in footfall,” Michael Beverly, Executive Vice President at Al Ghurair Centre, told Aletihad.
“Retailers are also welcoming their customers with some Eid offers to celebrate this festive season in style, so we look forward to seeing our guests enjoy some great deals.”
Al Ghurair Centre joins several shopping malls around the country in curating events for residents to enjoy during the festive season. This includes centres like Abu Dhabi’s Galleria and Yas malls which are offering prize raffles and entertainment across the long weekend.
A report published by global market research firm Toluna earlier this year indicated changing habits during the Eid period among UAE consumers. According to their survey of more that 500 participants, an increasing number of residents were looking to participate in cultural activities, visit theme parks, travel abroad and visit concerts and live shows compared to 2023. The report found an average of 10% increase in all the above categories as compared to 2023 although traditional Eid activities like visiting relatives (84%) and going to restaurants remain popular.
Beverly said that Al Ghurair Centre is hoping that its indoor entertainment offerings like the “Glitch” indoor playground alongside its extensive retail offerings will make it a reprieve from the summer heat this holiday.
“As Eid Al Adha approaches, Al Ghurair Centre stands as an inviting and vibrant hub for the community to gather and celebrate the occasion in a variety of ways,” Beverly said.