Malls in Abu Dhabi braced for traditional scramble for Eid Al Fitr gifts

As the Eid Al Fitr holiday fast approaches stores in the capital’s malls are braced for the traditional scramble by customers looking for new outfits and gifts for children, family and friends.

Powered by automated translation

ABU DHABI // As the Eid Al Fitr holiday fast approaches stores in the capital’s malls are braced for the traditional scramble by customers looking for new outfits and gifts for children, family and friends.

Nabel Aryadan, the marketing manager at Khalidiyah Mall, said he expected the mall’s 110 outlets to be busy.

“We are a community mall,” he said. “We expect toys shops to be busy, especially the Early Learning Centre on the ground floor. People can choose from a wide variety of educational toys and games. We expect these to be popular.”

There will also be a rush for Eid presents at Gulf Greetings, Toys Planet and the toys department at Lulu Hypermarket, Mr Aryadan said.

Young children who will be getting freshly printed cash as gifts will be taken around its Sparkys Amusement Centre to enjoy the arcade games, the ice rink and rides.

In addition to clothes, toys and money, perfume and oud were proving popular Eid gifts for Marina Mall shoppers, according to a spokesman from the mall’s management.

The mall has more than 400 retail and service outlets of fashion, leisure and entertainment.

Traditional sweets for Eid from different countries in the region were a perennial favourite at this time of the year.

Shoppers flocking to Al Wahda Mall to pick up toys, perfumes and dresses were likely to pass by luxury chocolatier Le Macaron by Forrey and Galland.

“Our patrons are mostly Emirati,” said Ritchie Salud, its kiosk supervisor. “We’ve got luxury handmade French macaroons in Arabic and classic flavours, and handmade French chocolates.”

This weekend customers were expected to buy in bulk to give away as presents to friends and family. “These will be wrapped in velvet boxes, while others will make beautiful centrepieces,” said Ms Salud.

rruiz@thenational.ae