Those who were excited to see Dubai Hills Mall open last month should now be happy to know the shopping centre’s resident hypermarket will follow soon.
Geant’s largest supermarket in the UAE is due to open on March 21.
Scroll through the gallery above to see inside the supermarket.
The National was invited for a sneak peek at the store ahead of its opening, and it was still in the process of being built. Now it’s only the finishing touches left to complete.
“We promise a positive and dedicated in-store experience and are constantly fine-tuning the on-floor priorities to make it even better,” said Mark Anthony Lack, chief executive of Urban Foods, the store’s parent company, which is also planning to launch French retail chain Monoprix in the UAE soon.
“Our staff at Geant Dubai Hills will not sit behind counters but are interactive and on hand to suggest and advise according to the customer’s needs.”
For all intents and purposes, it’s another normal supermarket, but there are a few high-tech additions worth mentioning across the 35 to 40 shopping aisles. For example, digital screens are embedded in refrigerator and freezer doors, creating a network of smart displays that will announce information and share special offers.
The store is divided into sections that are more comprehensive than usual. For example, in the laundry department shoppers will find washing machines as well as detergent, while the baby and child area stocks everything from baby food and bath products to nappy bins.
“We see it as vital that customers look on us as a one-stop shop replete with new options and experiences yet offering a select but also eclectic range of quality goods,” says Lack. “From our themed departments to a dedicated candy section, clothing and electronics, kitchen gadgets and organic food items, each one has something unusual to offer.”
Other highlights include well-stocked organic, gluten-free and vegan aisles, as well as a France-inspired cheese section and an in-house cafe called Maison Marguerite.
A home delivery service will also be available.
What's inside Dubai Hills Mall?
The new mall, one of the largest in the UAE, opened on February 17.
It's located in Dubai Hills Estate, the 1,093-hectare development by Emaar that forms part of Mohammed Bin Rashid City, and sits next to Dubai Hills Park. It is a short drive from other thriving residential communities such as Arabian Ranches, Town Square Dubai and Damac Hills, and is accessible via Umm Suqeim Street and Al Khail Road.
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Dubai Hills Mall is now open to the public. All photos by Katy Gillett / The National unless specified otherwise -
Dubai Hills Mall is located in Dubai Hills Estate. Photo: Emaar Malls Management -
Hundreds of people showed up within the first hour of opening day. -
Children's play area Adventure Park is now open. -
Adventure Park offers children plenty of entertainment and activities, from trampolines to slides. -
Branded hoarding gave an indication of what is still to open at Dubai Hills Mall. -
A FitnGlam ladies' gym will open soon. -
The mall features a number of eye-catching design installations. -
A number of stores where occupants have not yet moved in have Dubai Hills Mall branding. -
Apple-shaped seats for children near Adventure Park. -
The Tim Hortons team celebrates the opening. -
Murals are painted on the external walls of Dubai Hills Mall. -
The mall has two floors. -
Ace Hardware will also open soon. -
Shops are open from 10am at the mall. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
There is plenty to see and do inside the two-storey mall, which features about 600 retail outlets, including internationally renowned brands, plus a yet-to-open Roxy Cinemas outlet, Adventure Park and an indoor roller coaster called The Storm Coaster that's said to be the fastest indoor one in the world.
While a number of stores and entertainment spaces are already open, including Adventure Park, an indoor sports park for children aged 3 and over, and The Storm Coaster, many are still closed.
Among those open include major home stores such as Pottery Barn and West Elm, alongside fashion brands such as H&M, Levi's and Superdry, plus popular book store Borders.
A number of restaurants are already welcoming customers, including Miyabi, CZN Burak Burger, Five Guys and Wagamama. There's a food hall, too, with the likes of Pizza Hut, KFC and McDonald's now serving, and plenty more to come.
At the mall, retail stores will be open from 10am to 10pm on Sunday to Thursday, with restaurants and cafes open until midnight and Geant Hypermarket open from 9am to midnight.
On Friday and Saturday, shop hours extend slightly until midnight.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the country's biggest shopping centres:
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UAE's biggest malls: The Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 retail units in addition to 200-plus food and beverage outlets. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Mall of the Emirates in Dubai has more than 630 retail units and 100-plus food and beverage outlets spread out across 233,467 square metres. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Dubai Hills Mall boasts 600 retail units plus 7,000 parking spaces. Photo: Emaar Malls Management -
Sahara Centre is located on the Dubai-Sharjah Highway, covers almost 240,000 square metres and has 530 retail units. Victor Besa for The National -
Reem Mall on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island is set to open in 2022 and will feature 450 retail units plus 85 food and beverage outlets. The mall will cover an area of more than 260,000 square metres. Photo: Reem Mall -
Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi has over 450 retail units spread across more than 151,000 square metres. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National -
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is one of Abu Dhabi's newest malls and features 400 retail units plus 100 food and beverage outlets. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island -
Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall has more than 400 retail units, covering an area of 122,000 square metres. Photo: Sammy Dallal -
Yas Mall on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island has more than 370 retail units and 68 food and beverage outlets spread out across 232,257 square metres. Victor Besa / The National
