DUBAI // Dubai Properties aims to lure people out of the malls and onto the beach with its latest retail endeavour in the Dubai Marina. The Walk, a high-end outdoor shopping area with enclosed stores located underneath the Jumeirah Beach Residences, officially opened this week. Operated by Dubai Retail, a subsidiary of Dubai Properties, the 1.7km-long promenade features more than 170 different outlets with a total of 305 set for completion in the coming year.
France's Zadig et Voltaire, New York's Saks Fifth Avenue and London's Aiyana top the list of brands to open on the beachfront development, as well as eateries ranging from Ruby Tuesday and Chili's to Coco's, Da Shi Dai, Fashion Lounge and Zaatar w Zeit. Officials behind the project say The Walk's location alone distinguishes it from the city's many malls and shopping centres. "The Walk has an entirely different positioning compared to other malls in the region because it is Dubai's only outdoor shopping experience by the beach," said Haiyan Mujarkech, the chief executive of Dubai Retail.
"It is a unique outdoor shopping experience if only for its side-by-side positioning of the stores that will enable visitors to enjoy a strolling experience, much like that of Miami in Florida and Oxford Street in London." While Mr Mujarkech acknowledged that the city's soaring summertime temperatures could reduce the area's outdoor traffic, he said the restaurants had remained "active" during the recent trial period.
"Following our observations and daily interaction with tenants we have noticed that food and beverage outlets do very well due to the wide range of choices they offer the visitors," he said, adding that The Walk will also feature a special tent for iftar during Ramadan. "With more globally recognised brands scheduled to join the seaside promenade in the second stage, we believe The Walk's distinct status will continue to attract business, irrespective of the season," he said.
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