Dubai Hills Mall hypermarket opening on March 21 to be UAE's largest Geant

'The National' got an exclusive sneak peek at the new supermarket

'The National' gets a first look at Geant Hypermarket in Dubai Hills Mall, the largest store for the brand in the UAE. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

The store is still being finished, but will open on March 21.

The store is divided into comprehensive sections, including a large dry fruit and nuts area.

People are working hard to get the store ready in time for opening.

The store has a sleek, modern design with elements of greenery and plenty of wooden materials.

Children and those with a sweet tooth are bound to love the large sweets section.

A closer look at Sweet World in Geant.

The supermarket has 20 check-out tills.

Find familiar brands on the shelves.

A France-inspired cheesemonger will feature.

A laundry zone sells everything from washing machines to detergent.

The store also has a seafood section and butchery.

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.

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: