By Peter Alagos/Business Reporter

Ezdan Holding Group will be opening its second mall, the Al Wukair Shopping Centre in October 2015, Deputy CEO Nasser al-Abdulla said in a press conference held at the Ezdan Mall Al Gharaffa.

At the same time, the announcement was highlighted by the signing of a lease agreement between Ezdan Holding Group and Grand Hypermarket, which will occupy a 4,700sq m area in Al Wukair Shopping Centre.

After signing the lease agreement with Grand Mall Qatar director Mohamed Akbar al-Baker, al-Abdulla said, “The opening of Al Wukair Shopping Centre supports Ezdan Holding Group’s vision to create a modern Ezdan City.

“We are proud and excited to hand over Al Wukair Shopping Centre to Ezdan Shopping Malls Company in order to manage the mall and promote its brand mix strategy in line with the company’s outstanding expertise in the field.”

Ezdan Shopping Malls general manager Malik Qaiser told Gulf Times there will be a 90% difference between the brands that would be offered at Al Wukair Shopping Centre compared to those available at Al Gharaffa.

“We are very conscious of the competition in the market, and we know what kind of tenant mix we have to offer in Al Wukair and the services that would go along with it.

“The difference of brands availability between Al Wukair and Al Gharaffa will be more than 90% because they’re two different communities catering to two different segments and different offerings,” Qaiser said.

Qaiser explained that Al Wukair Shopping Centre is an indoor-outdoor mall spanning 30,000sq m and has two-floor spaces that are open for lease. It consists of 11 buildings, which will house Grand Hypermarket, clinic medical centre, food court, kids entertainment area, multiple retail buildings, and government offices.

“Ezdan Shopping Malls management started receiving applications to shortlist brands to finalise its brand mix of Al Wukair Shopping Centre. The mall will serve the southern areas, including Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, Barwa, and Mesaieed,” Qaiser further said.

Shamsudheen bin Mohideen Mammu Haji, chairman of Regency Group Dubai and promoter of Grand Mall, said the hypermarket will be the Group’s second outlet in Qatar and the 39th in its Group, which operates in UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, China, and India.

“We are able to attain this as we have direct sourcing channels around the world with own sourcing offices in UAE, China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India. This will help us in getting the best products at the best price and quality, which will benefit our customers,” al-Baker said.

He added, “In Qatar, the Group will open three more stores within a year with more projects in pipeline.”

 

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