Abu Dhabi - Mubasher: A new report showed that over 90% of the Abu Dhabi community consider visiting malls as an important aspect of their lives.
Independent research commissioned by Gulf Related found “widespread satisfaction about the capital’s retail offerings, but also identified room for improvement in some areas".
According to the report, 97% of almost 1,000 Abu Dhabi shoppers surveyed said that they were “at least somewhat satisfied with existing retail destinations”, with over 70% visiting the mall at least once a week, reflecting the central role that malls play in people’s lives, particularly in the UAE capital.
The research, conducted by Brunswick Insight, highlighted that two thirds of consumers “believe that shopping and dining options have improved considerably over the past five years”, while the same number chose to stay and shop in Abu Dhabi rather than travel to Dubai or any other emirate.
“Across the UAE, the retail sector has been increasing in value by over $2 billion per year, with average consumer spending in 2015 estimated at $23,960 per capita – the highest in the region. But until now, there has been very little research which goes beyond the numbers to explore the tastes and sentiments of the capital’s consumers qualitatively,” said Gulf Related chief operating officer and managing director Kevin A. Ryan.
Around 89% of respondents viewed entertainment options as an important factor in their choice of visiting the mall, while almost half of shoppers who live in Abu Dhabi but visit malls outside the capital say that they do so predominantly for the entertainment options.
This demonstrates that this is an area where Abu Dhabi’s options need to improve, the report said.
Research-driven insights are integral to our company, which aims to ensure that its projects meet changing consumer needs before coming to market, Ryan said, noting that “this study validates and influences how Gulf Related will bring Al Maryah Central to the market to appeal to Abu Dhabi’s residents and visitors.”
Gulf Related is the developer of Abu Dhabi’s 2.8 million square-foot next generation mall, Al Maryah Central.
