The expansion comes as part of the company’s strategy to increase its total investment in the UAE by AED 30 billion by 2026, taking the total investment in the country to AED 48 billion, as announced in June 2016.

Key features of the transformed mall:

• The expansion has 23 new brands and dining concepts, such as Sharaf DG, Mumso, Home Box, Life Pharmacy, Nando’s and Gazebo.
• The modern design of the new wing with a skylight roof to allow natural light into the mall, increased storefront size and upgraded design, along with contrast lighting elevates the mood of the customers and enhances their shopping experience
• The entertainment options for the entire family have increased with the opening of a 12-screen VOX Cinemas, which also GOLD by Rhodes, offering a premium moviegoing experience.
• The mall has expanded the carpark with a total of 1,426 spaces. (was 690 before the redevelopment began)
• City Centre Sharjah has added new convenience-based services, including new toilets, baby changing rooms and prayer facilities.

Transformation of City Centre Sharjah and its milestones since 2001:

When City Centre Sharjah opened in 2001, it was a community-centric mall with just about 100 stores, restaurants and services to meet the daily needs of shoppers in the emirate. Over the years, the shopping mall has diversified and evolved to keep up with new trends and meet the ever-changing expectations of our discerning customers. The mall has grown from a gross leasable area of 37,728 sqm to 51,428 sqm, with more than 143 lifestyle, homeware and electronic stores to choose from. City Centre Sharjah is now a super-regional mall.

The mall has continued to evolve by bringing new international brands and dining outlets, many of which are making a debut in Sharjah, such as Korean lifestyle brand Mumuso. At the same time, we have strengthened our family entertainment offerings at the mall by opening Sharjah’s first 12-screen VOX Cinemas, which also boasts GOLD by Rhodes that will offer a premium cinemagoing experience.

As part of City Centre Sharjah’s transformation, which we initiated last year, we have also updated the look and feel of the interior and exterior building. We have enhanced the shopping experience by transforming the mall with a contemporary design that boasts a skylight roof, luxe lighting and bigger storefronts, creating a warm and inviting ambiance for our shoppers. The existing mall has been refurbished to give it a contemporary look, as well.

We have also added many more facilities, including a bigger parking space that can accommodate 1,426 vehicles, and more toilets, baby changing areas and prayer rooms for the convenience of visitors.

City Centre Sharjah’s redevelopment phases:

We began our AED 260 million enhancement project to transform City Centre Sharjah into a regional retail and entertainment destination where families can gather to shop, eat and unwind last year.

On April 2, we opened the contemporary extension of the mall with 22 new lifestyle brands and family restaurants and will continue to open many more stores in the coming months. Some of the new stores that have already opened in the mall include Mumso, Home Box, Sharaf DG, Gazebo and Chilli’s.

City Centre Sharjah has now unveiled the emirate’s first VOX Cinemas. The 12-screen cinema will complete the leisure and entertainment experience for families by bringing big screens to gourmet and fully immersive experiences, and even a cinema for kids, creating great moments for everyone, every day.

Majid Al Futtaim’s sustainability strategy and how the ongoing renovations comply with green building code

Majid Al Futtaim applies the latest innovations in design, development and construction to reduce the environmental footprint of our malls. Majid Al Futtaim launched its ambitious Net Positive strategy this year to steer the company into giving back to the environment more than it takes by reducing water consumption and carbon emissions, create a positive corporate footprint by 2040. Furthering this commitment, the redevelopment and operation of City Centre Sharjah is being carried out in line with green building best practice. During construction, locally produced, recyclable building materials was used and safe working practices and methods to control dust and noise were applied. Innovative and energy-efficient design and procedures have also been implemented, including installing LED lighting and water-saving, low-flow faucets and fixtures that will reduce the mall’s carbon footprint.

New design of the mall

City Centre Sharjah has undergone a complete interior and exterior refurbishment with a contemporary architectural design that incorporates more natural elements. The expansion has a skylight roof to allow natural light to stream into the mall during the day to brighten the mood of our visitors and create a feeling of more space. Spread over two levels, visitors can easily navigate the mall based on their interests, from fashion to electronics. While the ground level houses most lifestyle brands, the top floor gives customers access to Carrefour, family sit-down restaurants and the food court. City Centre Sharjah’s 12-screen VOX Cinemas is also on this floor so that families can enjoy this a completely outing with good food and cinema all in one place.

The storefronts have been doubled with enhanced aesthetic design and higher ceilings that exude luxury.

The contrast lux lighting levels in the stores create a warm ambiance for visitors. We’ve also injected vibrancy into the dining scene at the mall by expanding the indoor and outdoor seating for our new restaurants, giving families an opportunity to enjoy al fresco dining during the cooler months.

How will City Centre Sharjah’s transformation boost the retail sector, economy and tourism of the emirate?

Sharjah’s competitive rents and constant development makes it an attractive emirate for residents to reside in. The emirate’s unique history and rich heritage and traditions, which it preserves and promotes, makes it an attractive destination for tourists from around the world as well. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority has put a series of programmes in place to advance the tourism sector, attract visitors from different countries, and enrich the experiences of travellers visiting the emirate in line with its vision to draw 10 million tourists by 2021. In 2017, Sharjah received around 468,043 European tourists, up by almost 36 per cent from 343,987 visitors in 2016.

These factors have stimulated demand for world-class retail, dining and leisure options. The growth of City Centre Sharjah has been in parallel with the growth the emirate to address the changing interests and demands of residents and tourists in the city.

After a careful study of the changing community requirements as the emirate’s economy evolves, Majid Al Futtaim decided it was the opportune time to enhance City Centre Sharjah and transform it from a community mall to one with region-wide appeal.

Shopping trends in the Northern Emirates

• We are seeing a good mix of customers who are price sensitive and those that are now willing to pay a premium for unique experiences and products in the Northern Emirates
• Customers are always on the lookout for promotions and price reductions, especially ahead of Ramadan and Eid and other festive seasons. Our malls in the Northern Emirates cater to those seasonal demands with a year-round calendar of offers, discounts and spend and win opportunities
• Customers in the Northern Emirates are very trend conscious and informed about international brands. They want the convenience of finding them close to home, which is what we are offering. The introduction of new, exciting brands has helped boost the retail sector and is making the emirate a strong shopping hub.
• F&B in the mall is a major draw for the young demographic in the city. Families are looking for a wide variety to appease the tastes of every family members while our young customers are looking for chic cafes where they can hang out with friends.
• Sharjah has lacked a truly diverse and innovative moviegoing experience, which young customers and families seek. Our 12-screen VOX Cinemas, the first in Sharjah is filling that gap.
• City Centre Sharjah has seen more than 18 per cent increase in tourist visitors, especially from Russia, to the mall since April as we have diversified our retail mix, adding more fashion, homeware and electronics brands.
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