Dubai’s Malls Migrate Online amid Covid-19 Shutdown

Dubai’s Malls Migrate Online amid Covid-19 Shutdown

In mid-April The Dubai Mall, the largest retail space in the UAE, announced the launch of its own virtual store on the Gulf e-commerce platform, noon.com.. The initiative with The Dubai Mall allows customers to purchase goods from cooperating brands through noon.com's platform, with an associated delivery service to enable adherence to the emirate's strict curfews and social distancing measures.. While the ban was lifted on April 24 to coincide with the start of Ramadan , a number of malls, including The Dubai Mall, have decided not to reopen immediately.. As a result of the month-long closure of the Dubai's malls and ongoing restrictions to trading, many brick-and-mortar retailers have sought to rearrange rental agreements or seek some form of rental relief from mall operators.. While many were granted some financial relief during the period of mall closures, retailers are now calling for additional assistance from mall operators to offset any losses associated with the remaining trading constraints.. As malls progress towards online platforms, the virus could have the effect of accelerating greater uptake of e-commerce in the emirate..