Mall of the Emirates turns 20 with new stores, theatre and lifestyle spaces
GCC retail industry projected to surpass $390 billion by 2028
DUBAI – Mall of the Emirates is celebrating its 20th anniversary this September with a month-long programme of fashion, entertainment, and dining experiences, alongside a Dh5 billion expansion and rebranding that will reshape the iconic Dubai destination.
Since its opening in 2005, the Majid Al Futtaim-owned mall has become a landmark of the city’s retail growth, famous for its indoor ski resort spanning 22,500 square metres and now evolving into a hub for community and culture.
Major expansion
The expansion programme will introduce 20,000 square metres of new retail space, 100 additional stores, and multiple dining and wellness concepts. Majid Al Futtaim has already invested Dh1.1 billion in upgrades, including the Dh165 million bridge linking Umm Suqeim Street and Sheikh Zayed Road directly to the mall. The project will roll out in phases, with some cultural destinations opening this year. Lifestyle and entertainment areas are expected by 2026, while new dining outlets will follow in early 2027.
Among the highlights is a 600-seat theatre within a new cultural hub named New Covent Garden, developed in collaboration with the Dubai Performing Arts Academy and due to open in 2025. Plans also include an indoor-outdoor district for entertainment, scheduled to be ready by 2026.
Anniversary events
Visitors are being treated to a month of celebrations. THAT Concept Store will launch its Fall/Winter 2025 collection with an intimate runway on September 13, complete with a live DJ and refreshments. From September 17 to 29, AllSaints will host a customisation lab where shoppers can personalise items with the 20th anniversary logo.
On September 20, aerial dance troupe Bandaloop will transform the mall’s exterior into a vertical stage with performances at 5 pm and 6 pm. The same day offers a 24-hour promotion where shoppers can earn 20 times the SHARE points on purchases.
Retail landscape
The expansion arrives as the GCC’s retail sector undergoes major growth. According to LOGIC Consulting’s report “Revolutionising Retail: Unveiling GCC’s Five-Year Transformation”, the industry is forecast to exceed $390 billion by 2028.
Food retail is projected to rise from $127.2 billion in 2023 to $162 billion in 2028, while non-food retail, led by fashion, luxury, and electronics, is expected to reach $243.6 billion with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2 percent.