A sure sign that winter has arrived is the announcement that Dubai's Global Village is back. Set to begin its 23rd season on October 30, the multi-cultural festival park has become something of a Dubai institution. If you haven't been before, it's a huge fairground hosting pavilions dedicated to 78 different countries, where vendors sell goods from all around the globe. There are games, rides, performances, shows and an array of food options, set in a carnival atmosphere.
New additions
There's a host of new additions to this year's line-up, including:
The Wheel of the World, a 58-metre high ferris wheel that gives riders a view of Global Village and the surrounding Dubai Land area. This year, it has been redesigned to feature a 50-metre screen showing live scenes of Dubai.
A floating market selling international food.
A circus experience complete with a ringmaster and featuring high wire acts, clowns and a wheel of death.
A carnival ground that has been expanded to include over 30 rides, skill and arcade games.
An expanded Emirati pavilion, 'Live our Heritage', that will host festivals featuring the best of Emirati culture and craftsmanship.
Global Village will run until April 6, Saturday to Wednesday, from 4pm until 12 midnight, and Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays, from 4pm until 1am. Mondays are women and families only.
Entry is Dh15 with free entry for children under three, seniors (over 65) and the disabled.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
As You Were
Liam Gallagher
(Warner Bros)
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
