![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IWBIP7TAGJBDQ3VDBWWFG7ZJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4a33ef75ecfac9b9fcd9b6a4655a6c84c8bd3e7c7eb7c7901841b7ba58e2d07&width=400&height=225)
The Fujairah City Centre shopping mall opened its doors for the first time back in 2012. The National
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The flagship Dubai Mall remains a huge visitor attraction for tourists and residents alike. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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The Galleria Al Maryah Island, in Abu Dhabi, delivers an upscale shopping experience. Photo: Galleria Mall / Edelman PR
The vast Dubai Mall offers hours of retail therapy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A young boy looks at the waterfall in Dubai Mall, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVLAAIUV45DC3KVG45MM3RCFOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=293a1eede90c2e2528274cf4f358d89c0efe5b5ff13262abc25eec5190dfdc32&width=400&height=225)
Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall is an example of how shopping centres have diversified in order to draw in the crowds. Victor Besa / The National
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Ramadan decorations at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Malls are a popular meeting place during holidays and religious festivals. Pawan Singh / The National
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Winter Wonderland at Town Square, Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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View of the NBA store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
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Customers queue up early at an Apple Store opening at Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National.
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A parent-and-child yoga session at The Galleria mall in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Galleria Mall
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Festive decorations at Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Players have fun at the virtual reality entertainment venue, Zero Latency at Abu Dhabi's Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
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Friends gather at Dubai's Mercato Mall. Antonie Robertson / The National
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Ramadan celebrations at the Carrefour store at Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
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Carpets on display at the Kani Home shop at Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
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Main entrance of Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Yas Mall
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World Trade Centre Mall in Abu-Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
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RAK Mall in Ras Al Khaimah. Ruel Pableo / The National
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Al Hamra Mall in Al Hamra Village, Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Al Hamra Mall
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7IWBIP7TAGJBDQ3VDBWWFG7ZJQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4a33ef75ecfac9b9fcd9b6a4655a6c84c8bd3e7c7eb7c7901841b7ba58e2d07&width=400&height=225)
The Fujairah City Centre shopping mall opened its doors for the first time back in 2012. The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/74PIF434ERKN3ABFB3Y2YZLLDE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b38cea2ac9b135eed2ebc6f94d7baeab95fe4633146486a53ac527682c2b1bb5&width=400&height=225)
The flagship Dubai Mall remains a huge visitor attraction for tourists and residents alike. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W3QHPC7NOGHAAKICTH3HWRBHUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f72e76f616dc65a1656b5d754c3850e0803a4dfbf765821ce2c51f6069fcf885&width=400&height=225)
The Galleria Al Maryah Island, in Abu Dhabi, delivers an upscale shopping experience. Photo: Galleria Mall / Edelman PR
The vast Dubai Mall offers hours of retail therapy. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A young boy looks at the waterfall in Dubai Mall, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FVLAAIUV45DC3KVG45MM3RCFOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=293a1eede90c2e2528274cf4f358d89c0efe5b5ff13262abc25eec5190dfdc32&width=400&height=225)
Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall is an example of how shopping centres have diversified in order to draw in the crowds. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F5NTZ3UFKVBURMOWKCOGXE4RWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2988b5d00bb0fb965a42b11cb100917d0b5fd432ec80bcfbb0703809871a6b91&width=400&height=225)
Ramadan decorations at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Malls are a popular meeting place during holidays and religious festivals. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CLVY4Z22TRFCRKOIFTQQOKEIZ4.jpg?smart=true&auth=ca624e3f6c99513c2acaf6b187bafd84a981fb4722e2b1aa20b993c6876bbfc4&width=400&height=225)
Winter Wonderland at Town Square, Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RJAG37VDLRHEFHA3HYWSE5GPCQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=017d8b686d922a103b2b27f9f7e2b58f95196cbad9ce0f77e8f3fa9e44c9ddb8&width=400&height=225)
View of the NBA store at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GYRM7BTPH5ARTFMR5OAGYDRUSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6d521f0a6e15a4e451244cf091142df0a3a79120fc2c8b46295c515118c1693&width=400&height=225)
Customers queue up early at an Apple Store opening at Yas Mall. Victor Besa / The National.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PPHLHG6FF5BILORNRODYITTJFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5122955244ce4de25ba2b35811f2aa1ab88c640fbe17912da5dd22a217a5d2ee&width=400&height=225)
A parent-and-child yoga session at The Galleria mall in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Galleria Mall
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Festive decorations at Galleria Mall, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z2QSQ2HE6NE53KK2SF2DNEJI6A.jpg?smart=true&auth=33d1ed790cf69a189a3298bda66b2294780d94a6b240b0a73ee782fba4862415&width=400&height=225)
Players have fun at the virtual reality entertainment venue, Zero Latency at Abu Dhabi's Galleria Mall. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/B3NPSSDK5UMMQ3FDNPRSEBSNFE.jpg?smart=true&auth=45029fb89044f93ab7faed020f80afb879410323e325b95c7db509905c8e9fde&width=400&height=225)
Friends gather at Dubai's Mercato Mall. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BVYGW27ETVFA5G6GX7WJ2QXR64.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed7669f42b23651f7f958f36450f4e106e9f3716628fd3d7b5aaed8d55d076b9&width=400&height=225)
Ramadan celebrations at the Carrefour store at Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4W7JQJFW6NGYFNYF7GVOFHJQ3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=18b22790939ecf4474b92c57bcbc78497e3e0e653410d3d864eb2c067e0b0b7d&width=400&height=225)
Carpets on display at the Kani Home shop at Ibn Battuta mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
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Main entrance of Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Yas Mall
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World Trade Centre Mall in Abu-Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZK55VDT3VFHLEBM2Q6FJX4EAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=7fd23bc94520c0fe209a486e99913149f4a510f6b1ed898e3c8a08b6855d71a2&width=400&height=225)
RAK Mall in Ras Al Khaimah. Ruel Pableo / The National
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Al Hamra Mall in Al Hamra Village, Ras Al Khaimah. Photo: Al Hamra Mall
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The Fujairah City Centre shopping mall opened its doors for the first time back in 2012. The National
Can UAE's mall culture defy new age of online shopping amid US decline?
Experts believe the country's love of shopping malls can endure, as their appeal extends beyond retail trends
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
03 September, 2023
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