One of the largest retail experiences of the year is under way as Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season brings together thousands of shops and enticing deals.
Between now and January 31, shoppers can enjoy a wide range of activations and promotions, including discounts and deals, across more than 3,500 shops at 27 malls
The emirate-wide Winter Shopping Season, which began with an “amazing sale” last weekend, includes the signature Shop & Win initiative until the season closes.
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) customers holding an ADIB Visa Card have the chance to enter a draw when spending Dh300 or more through Shop & Win.
Abu Dhabi Retail has partnered with ADIB for the initiative and says ADIB provides a diverse card product suite, which underscores the bank’s commitment to delivering exceptional service to its customers while staying responsive to their changing banking requirements.
The next few weeks will see shoppers receive great purchasing opportunities with some leading luxury names partnering with Abu Dhabi Retail to ensure an array of exclusive brand experiences for mall visitors.
Abu Dhabi Winter Shopping Season curates an exciting programme with strategic partners keen to ensure there is something for everyone.
Another highlight during this year’s Winter Shopping Season comes courtesy of greater reward benefits.
Amber - an Al Tayer Group loyalty programme - is allowing members to earn five times the points when they spend on brands among its network, such as Bloomingdale’s Beauty, Emporio Armani, Gap and Coach, up until January 31.
Fans of luxury timepieces are in for a treat from December 11 to 24 when The Zayed Exhibit of Rare Watches is co-hosted by Caliber Cafe and Luxury Souk, at Caliber Cafe, in Al Bateen.
It will display a remarkable collection of more than 100 United Arab Emirates Rolex logo watches, paying tribute to the heritage and visionary leadership of the nation, as well as acknowledging the timeless elegance of Rolex creations.
Another date for the calendar is December 16 to January 6, when two brands combine for an “intersection of luxury and local culture” at the Tryano x Rain Cafe pop-up.
Launching at Liwa Village, in the Liwa Desert, visitors can elevate their style with exclusive, handpicked streetwear and athleisure collections.
Brought by two homegrown favourites, shoppers can also try activities such as customising fragrances and sneakers.
And, while savouring a tasty order from Rain Cafe, there’s an opportunity to discover the inaugural Bunka Pop-Up concept - home to popular local and international streetwear and sneaker brands - making its first appearance in Abu Dhabi, within the Tryano space.
Also happening from December 16 to January 8 is a chance to “immerse yourself in the Beneverse” and be part of Benefit Cosmetics’ colourful evolution.
Step into the brand’s vibrant pop-up at Liwa Village and be among the first to experience Benefit’s global rebranding, bursting with a new, vivid identity. Guests can seize Insta-worthy moments in the infinity photo booth and engage in an array of activities, from onboarding experiences that immerse visitors in Benefit’s transformation, to utilising artistic skills to customise the pop-up.
Meanwhile, the Michael Kors Holiday Pop-Up Shop, also in Liwa Village, is a great opportunity to explore and browse that brand’s latest collection and enjoy a unique, multi-sensory retail experience.
Between December 16 and January 8, shoppers will get a chance to snap a perfect photo in front of the infinity mirror and try their luck at the claw machine, where exclusive Michael Kors gifts are literally there for the taking.
Into the new year, Mirbad’s Winter 2024 Hotel - at a location to be revealed - is a four-day showcase of the region’s most influential designers and artists.
Shoppers can immerse themselves in a retail experience of curated elegance elevated by Instagrammable art installations and live performances.
Described as a one-stop destination for style, art, and social engagement, the Mirbad Winter 2024 from January 4 to 8 encompasses fashion to fine dining, making it more of a cultural movement than a marketplace.
Also marking a glamourous start to 2024, the Ounass x Amina Muaddi Retail Escape sees Amina Muaddi and Ounass present exclusive pieces from the coveted footwear brand at its first-of-a-kind showcase in the GCC. Designed by Crosby Studios, it happens at Mamsha Al Saadiyat from January 4 to February 4.
Abu Dhabi Retail says the travelling Ounass x Amina Muaddi pop-up has been masterfully designed as an escape from the real world, and a complete immersion into the brand and its latest collection.
True to Ounass’s commitment to exclusive curations and convenience, guests will select their coveted footwear, and have it delivered directly to their doorstep.
While the seasonal retail diary may be filling up fast, there are also three major mall activations for families to consider.
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is the setting for magical seasonal scenes as Winter Wonderland offers a snowy haven filled with enchanting decorations and fun activities for all ages. It runs from December 4 to 26.
And to complement the shopping experience at The Galleria Al Maryah Island, shoppers will receive an exclusive, limited-edition fragrance with every purchase of The Galleria Gift Card valued at Dh250 or more during Winter Shopping Season, while stocks last.
The much-loved festive market returns to Abu Dhabi Mall, from December 8 to January 7 with appearances by Santa Claus. Shoppers can also take part in that mall’s Shop & Win initiative during this period.
Adding even more seasonal variety, visitors can shop for a cause at Marina Mall’s charity souk.
Taking place on December 2 and 3, the collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation allows customers to make a meaningful impact this holiday season while sourcing great gift ideas.
To discover more about these activations, and to keep up to date with events throughout the shopping season, visit www.abudhabiretail.ae and follow @abudhabiretail on Instagram.
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Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
The biog
Name: Shamsa Hassan Safar
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Degree in emergency medical services at Higher Colleges of Technology
Favourite book: Between two hearts- Arabic novels
Favourite music: Mohammed Abdu and modern Arabic songs
Favourite way to spend time off: Family visits and spending time with friends
Breaking News: The Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now
Alan Rushbridger, Canongate