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Dubai shopping: Past, present and future

Updated 8:39 AM EDT, Wed August 29, 2018
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<strong>Shopping in Dubai: Past, present and future -- </strong>Dubai Mall is the world's largest mall by total area, opening in 2008. It has 1,200 shops and a retail floor area of over 5.4 million square feet. There's also luxury brands aplenty, including Burberry, Dior, Prada and Gucci, as well as its own dedicated gold souk. There's also a multiplex cinema, restaurants and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Shopping in Dubai: Past, present and future -- Dubai Mall is the world's largest mall by total area, opening in 2008. It has 1,200 shops and a retail floor area of over 5.4 million square feet. There's also luxury brands aplenty, including Burberry, Dior, Prada and Gucci, as well as its own dedicated gold souk. There's also a multiplex cinema, restaurants and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.
Bloomberg/Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images
<strong>BurJuman Centre -- </strong>With 300 stores and a focus on high-end labels, BurJuman is a solid location for luxury purchases. Opening in 1991, it's among Dubai's older malls, and over time has evolved, expanding in the mid-2000s. Further renovations took place a few years ago, with the addition of more entertainment facilities.
BurJuman Centre -- With 300 stores and a focus on high-end labels, BurJuman is a solid location for luxury purchases. Opening in 1991, it's among Dubai's older malls, and over time has evolved, expanding in the mid-2000s. Further renovations took place a few years ago, with the addition of more entertainment facilities.
Iain Masterton/Alamy
<strong>Ibn Battuta Mall -- </strong>The unmistakable Ibn Battuta Mall takes its interior design seriously. Its themed zones are based on the journeys of 14th century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, and includes areas dedicated to Persia (pictured), Egypt, Tunisia, India, China and Andalusia. There's 275 retailers and space for a scale replica of a Chinese junk too.
Ibn Battuta Mall -- The unmistakable Ibn Battuta Mall takes its interior design seriously. Its themed zones are based on the journeys of 14th century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, and includes areas dedicated to Persia (pictured), Egypt, Tunisia, India, China and Andalusia. There's 275 retailers and space for a scale replica of a Chinese junk too.
a-plus image bank/Alamy
<strong>Bur Dubai Souk -- </strong>Situated on Dubai Creek opposite Deira (also home to a number of souks), this is among the oldest in the city. It's been refurbished in recent years, and shoppers will find a bevvy of textiles including dishdashas and pashminas. Bur Dubai is also home to Hindu lane and the the Shri Nathje Jayate Temple.
Bur Dubai Souk -- Situated on Dubai Creek opposite Deira (also home to a number of souks), this is among the oldest in the city. It's been refurbished in recent years, and shoppers will find a bevvy of textiles including dishdashas and pashminas. Bur Dubai is also home to Hindu lane and the the Shri Nathje Jayate Temple.
Hemis/Alamy
<strong>Mall of the Emirates -- </strong>With space for over 600 shops, Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005. Arguably its most famous attraction is Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski slope in the Middle East. The mall also contains a luxury hotel and the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Mall of the Emirates -- With space for over 600 shops, Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005. Arguably its most famous attraction is Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski slope in the Middle East. The mall also contains a luxury hotel and the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
<strong>Gold Souk -- </strong>Perhaps the most famous souk in Dubai, this is why the place is known as "the city of gold." An extraordinary amount of gold jewelry is on display, and shoppers, who come from all over the world for its wares, are encouraged to haggle. <br />
Gold Souk -- Perhaps the most famous souk in Dubai, this is why the place is known as "the city of gold." An extraordinary amount of gold jewelry is on display, and shoppers, who come from all over the world for its wares, are encouraged to haggle.
Warren Little/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Souk Madinat Jumeirah --</strong> Close to Jumeirah Beach, this souk is a modern take on traditional retail experiences. Touting antiques and artisanal products, it's a good place to pick up souvenirs, while remaining in touching distance of entertainment venues and eateries.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah -- Close to Jumeirah Beach, this souk is a modern take on traditional retail experiences. Touting antiques and artisanal products, it's a good place to pick up souvenirs, while remaining in touching distance of entertainment venues and eateries.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
<strong>Dragon Mart 1 and 2 -- </strong>Dragon Mart touts itself as "the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside mainland China." The first sprawling, 3,900 feet long mall has room for 3,500 stores of varying shapes and sizes, while the second (which opened in 2016) added another 1,000 retail, food and entertainment spaces. Not content with this level of expansion, developer Nakheel has plans to add hotel and apartments alongside the huge malls.
Dragon Mart 1 and 2 -- Dragon Mart touts itself as "the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside mainland China." The first sprawling, 3,900 feet long mall has room for 3,500 stores of varying shapes and sizes, while the second (which opened in 2016) added another 1,000 retail, food and entertainment spaces. Not content with this level of expansion, developer Nakheel has plans to add hotel and apartments alongside the huge malls.
Dragon Mart
<strong>Meydan One Mall -- </strong>The huge Meydan One Mall has been in the pipeline for a while, but we've had some construction updates in 2018, with adjacent <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbnme.com%2Fnews%2Fazizi-developments-reach-milestone%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">residential properties well underway. </a>The mall itself will feature 5.8 million square feet of luxury and premium brand retail outlets, and if plans remain the same, the complex will also have a one kilometer long ski slope.
Meydan One Mall -- The huge Meydan One Mall has been in the pipeline for a while, but we've had some construction updates in 2018, with adjacent residential properties well underway. The mall itself will feature 5.8 million square feet of luxury and premium brand retail outlets, and if plans remain the same, the complex will also have a one kilometer long ski slope.
Meydan City Corporation
<strong>Nakheel Mall --</strong> Combining mall with hotel (<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.cnn.com%2Fmarriage-made-retail-heaven-dubais-shopping-mall-hotels-051991%2F">a familiar pairing in Dubai</a>), Nakheel Mall on the Palm Jumeirah was<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nakheel.com%2Fen%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Faed12-billion-nakheel-mall-85-per-cent-complete" target="_blank" target="_blank"> 85% complete</a> in March this year, according to its developers. Along with 350 shops, eateries and entertainment attractions, the mall will also serve as the point of access for the 787-foot Palm Tower, which will have panoramic views of the artificial island complex.
Nakheel Mall -- Combining mall with hotel (a familiar pairing in Dubai), Nakheel Mall on the Palm Jumeirah was 85% complete in March this year, according to its developers. Along with 350 shops, eateries and entertainment attractions, the mall will also serve as the point of access for the 787-foot Palm Tower, which will have panoramic views of the artificial island complex.
Nakheel
<strong>Dubai Square -- </strong>The latest mega-mall planned for the city is Dubai Square, which will cost an estimated $2 billion and have over 8 million square feel of retail space -- twice the amount of Dubai Mall.
Dubai Square -- The latest mega-mall planned for the city is Dubai Square, which will cost an estimated $2 billion and have over 8 million square feel of retail space -- twice the amount of Dubai Mall.
Emaar Properties
<strong>Dubai Square -- </strong>The mall will sit within the growing Dubai Creek district. The retail, entertainment and residential complex will be 30 million square feet in size. It lies at the feet of Dubai Creek Tower, the super-tall structure which, at 3,045ft, will eclipse even the Burj Khalifa when completed.
Dubai Square -- The mall will sit within the growing Dubai Creek district. The retail, entertainment and residential complex will be 30 million square feet in size. It lies at the feet of Dubai Creek Tower, the super-tall structure which, at 3,045ft, will eclipse even the Burj Khalifa when completed.
Emaar Properties
<strong>Dubai Square -- </strong>The mall will combine many retail experiences already present in the city, including a modern take on traditional souk aesthetics.
Dubai Square -- The mall will combine many retail experiences already present in the city, including a modern take on traditional souk aesthetics.
Emaar Properties
<strong>Dubai Square -- </strong>Also within the mega-mall will be the largest Chinatown in the Middle East. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Dubai is on the up, with China representing the fourth largest tourism market for Dubai in the first half of 2018 according to government figures.
Dubai Square -- Also within the mega-mall will be the largest Chinatown in the Middle East. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Dubai is on the up, with China representing the fourth largest tourism market for Dubai in the first half of 2018 according to government figures.
Emaar Properties
<strong>Dubai Square -- </strong>Luxury retail experiences will also feature heavily. According to market research by <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2F2018%2F05%2F22%2Fworld%2Fcbre-report-2018-top-retail-destinations%2Findex.html">CBRE </a>earlier this year, Dubai had the highest international retailer presence of any city in the world.
Dubai Square -- Luxury retail experiences will also feature heavily. According to market research by CBRE earlier this year, Dubai had the highest international retailer presence of any city in the world.
Emaar Properties

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