How does Dubai lead the way in emerging retails trends?

How does Dubai lead the way in emerging retails trends?

Dubai is leading the way for some emerging worldwide trends that mark a shift away from purely franchises to brand-owned stores.

Global real estate services provider Savills, which has identified four global trends that will shape the future of key retail destination cities, says that leading retail locations such as the UAE had a head start in the post-Covid period as they could open international borders and lift restrictions relatively quickly on the back of an extensive vaccination programme. Such a move had helped key sectors such as real estate, tourism and retail to swiftly commence their recovery.

“In the Middle East, already there are clear signs of retailer demand, with a shift away from purely franchises to brand-owned stores in key locations, and a strong focus on luxury. In this regard, Dubai is leading the way,” Savills said in its report detailing the key trends that are shaping the future of retail.

“In Dubai, many luxury brands are represented by mono-brand stores through local franchises but with the recent change in government policies, Savills is seeing international brands come in directly looking to take back full control of their stores. Cairo, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain all have relatively affluent domestic populations and