• Finishing touches being made to the new Ikea store at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    Finishing touches being made to the new Ikea store at Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • The store is set to open on Wednesday, November 18. Victor Besa / The National
    The store is set to open on Wednesday, November 18. Victor Besa / The National
  • The new Ikea store will be the first in the centre of the city. Victor Besa / The National
    The new Ikea store will be the first in the centre of the city. Victor Besa / The National
  • The new outlet will be spread over 2,100 square metres on the first floor of Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    The new outlet will be spread over 2,100 square metres on the first floor of Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • The store is smaller than other Ikea outlets in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
    The store is smaller than other Ikea outlets in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
  • A look inside one of the finished rooms at Ikea, Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
    A look inside one of the finished rooms at Ikea, Al Wahda Mall. Victor Besa / The National
  • There will be Christmas stock to buy at the new store. Victor Besa / The National
    There will be Christmas stock to buy at the new store. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ikea store staff practise social distancing on the shop floor. Victor Besa / The National
    Ikea store staff practise social distancing on the shop floor. Victor Besa / The National
  • The store will stock 'approximately 2,000 low and medium-sized ready-to-assemble furniture and home essentials'. Victor Besa / The National
    The store will stock 'approximately 2,000 low and medium-sized ready-to-assemble furniture and home essentials'. Victor Besa / The National
  • For all other products, customers will have digital access to the full range. Victor Besa / The National
    For all other products, customers will have digital access to the full range. Victor Besa / The National
  • Customers can place their orders in-store to have them delivered or opt for online delivery. Victor Besa / The National
    Customers can place their orders in-store to have them delivered or opt for online delivery. Victor Besa / The National
  • There will be a Swedish cafe at the store, where customers can dine-in or take away food. The affordable hot dogs, shawarmas, meatballs and pastries are fan favourites. Victor Besa / The National
    There will be a Swedish cafe at the store, where customers can dine-in or take away food. The affordable hot dogs, shawarmas, meatballs and pastries are fan favourites. Victor Besa / The National
  • Products have already been put out on display at the new store. Victor Besa / The National
    Products have already been put out on display at the new store. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ikea store staff practise social distancing on the floor area. Victor Besa / The National
    Ikea store staff practise social distancing on the floor area. Victor Besa / The National
  • A member of staff tags items ahead of opening. Victor Besa / The National
    A member of staff tags items ahead of opening. Victor Besa / The National
  • The store is the fourth Ikea in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
    The store is the fourth Ikea in the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
  • The other Ikea stores are located at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi ... Victor Besa / The National
    The other Ikea stores are located at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi ... Victor Besa / The National
  • ... And at Festival Plaza and Dubai Festival City malls in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    ... And at Festival Plaza and Dubai Festival City malls in Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • Finishing touches are put on the store's Christmas display. Victor Besa / The National
    Finishing touches are put on the store's Christmas display. Victor Besa / The National
  • Room displays are ready at the store. Victor Besa / The National
    Room displays are ready at the store. Victor Besa / The National
  • A vanity display within the new store. Victor Besa / The National
    A vanity display within the new store. Victor Besa / The National
  • An Ikea bedroom display being finished. Victor Besa / The National
    An Ikea bedroom display being finished. Victor Besa / The National

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New Ikea opens in Abu Dhabi: customers can now visit the Al Wahda Mall store

The city-centre store stocks 'approximately 2,000 small- and medium-sized home essentials'

Farah Andrews
Farah Andrews
Dubai

November 19, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

The brand new Ikea at Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi has opened its doors.

Opening at 1pm on Wednesday, November 18, the Swedish furniture store welcomed a score of customers, who were keen to browse the selection of homeware and furniture in the new 2,100-square metre store.

Located on the first floor of Al Wahda Mall, it is the capital's second Ikea store, along with the 33,000-square-metre Yas Island location, and the fifth in the UAE.

Located in the centre of the city, the smaller Ikea is expected to be a more convenient place to shop. It will stock "approximately 2,000 low and medium-sized ready-to-assemble furniture and home essentials", the company said.

A bedroom set-up in the new Ikea store at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
A bedroom set-up in the new Ikea store at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

For all other products, customers will have digital access to the full range and can place their orders in-store to have them delivered to their homes or the shop.

Within the store, there is a Swedish cafe serving dine-in and takeaway food, including favourites such as the shawarma, the hot dog and Swedish pastries.

"We are thrilled to bring a new City Store Ikea concept to the people of Abu Dhabi, a concept that brings the Ikea experience closer to people's homes with the mall's strategic and central location," says Vinod Jayan, Ikea's UAE and Oman managing director, about the opening.

"We will offer a wide range of home furnishing ideas with well-designed furniture and home accessories that is affordable for all. Visitors will also be able to enjoy our classic treats such as the hot dog, the shawarma and more."

Ikea, Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi is open now; Sunday to Wednesday, 10am-10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 10am-midnight; ikea.ae/AlWahda

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

On Women's Day

 

 

 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The biog

Name: Samar Frost

Born: Abu Dhabi

Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends

Favourite singer: Adele

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Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

While you're here
While you're here
Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.

Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)

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Saturday's results

Women's third round

  • 14-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2, 6-2
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
  • 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4. 6-0
  • Coco Vandeweghe (USA) beat Alison Riske (USA) 6-2, 6-4
  •  9-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat 19-Timea Bacsinszky (Switzerland) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
  • Petra Martic (Croatia) beat Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) 7-6, 6-1
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
  • 7-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) beat Polona Hercog (Slovenia) 6-4, 6-0

Men's third round

  • 13-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) beat Dudi Sela (Israel) 6-1, 6-1 -- retired
  • Sam Queery (United States) beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-5
  • 6-Milos Raonic (Canada) beat 25-Albert Ramos (Spain) 7-6, 6-4, 7-5
  • 10-Alexander Zverev (Germany) beat Sebastian Ofner (Austria) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
  • 11-Tomas Berdych (Czech Republic) beat David Ferrer (Spain) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3
  • Adrian Mannarino (France) beat 15-Gael Monfils (France) 7-6, 4-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2
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