The fourth edition of the citywide Layali Ramadan campaign has wrapped up after bringing smiles to thousands of customers.
Abu Dhabi Retail’s innovative series of events and shopping specials has also set the bar very high for next year having put the spotlight on the emirate as a top destination for exclusive retail experiences.
At the heart of the imaginative campaign were several Abu Dhabi one-offs, in which homegrown concepts and international brands ran innovative activations.
Layali Ramadan brought at least 10 first-in-the-region immersive experiences to the emirate.
These, beside exclusive capsule collections, limited-edition pieces, and retail offers for UAE residents and visitors, combined for a memorable few weeks of retail excellence.
Fan-favourite brands came together to create engaging moments that blended tradition with innovation, combining the power of global and homegrown names.
Vibrant campaign
Concluding on April 14, the vibrant annual campaign featured many highlights, among them a unique collaboration between Valentino and Abu Dhabi’s Michelin-starred Emirati fusion dining concept Erth Restaurant, at Qasr Al Hosn. [Text Wrapping Break]Tradition blended with innovation when renowned fashion name Michael Kors collaborated with sophisticated Al Bateen Harbour venue No.
FiftySeven Boutique Cafe for a full brand takeover.
Michael Kors, meanwhile, unveiled a Ramadan capsule collection featuring its latest handbags, ready-to-wear items and accessories, many in styles or colours exclusive to the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi Retail’s “array of unique brand moments and collaborations” during Layali Ramadan began in style when homegrown pop-up concept Mirbad hosted a Ramadan Night Market, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, featuring coveted regional labels such as Karen Wazen Eyewear, OFA, and Toby’s Estate.
Immersive pop-ups
The latest MAC Teddy Forever collection grabbed the spotlight as MAC Cosmetics reimagined the interior of Saddle Cafe, in Al Bateen, to celebrate the brand’s iconic Velvet Teddy pink hue with an immersive pop-up.
The Layali Ramadan offering also saw Jimmy Choo’s global ‘The Flower Series’ capsule collection roadshow arrive in the UAE capital for the unveiling of an edition inspired by Abu Dhabi itself.
Created in partnership with Parisian couture embroidery house Les Ateliers Vermont, the collection has drawn inspiration from iconic world cities, and was displayed at Origami Sushi Abu Dhabi, Marsa Al Bateen, for a limited time.
Ritual Café & Studio, on Reem Island, hosted the Benefit Cosmetics Majlis while L’Occitane Village also proved a hit.
At Chapter Cafe by Ribbonaira, in Al Bateen, visitors were serenaded by an oud player as they strolled through a space lined with L’Occitane bestsellers.
There was a curated collection at Tryano Majlis, in Fil Florist & Café, also Al Bateen, when Abu Dhabi’s destination department store unveiled an exclusive, curated Ramadan edition from local and regional designers across a range of apparel for women, men, and kids.
Luxury destination
Camera phones were also kept busy by the Louboutin Hotel Suite. Christian Louboutin’s iconic shoe brand welcomed guests to an exclusive at Loubi Suite, in Jumeirah Saadiyat resort, for the latest Ramadan Collection.
More broadly, 3,500 stores across 27 malls participated in the 2024 edition of Layali Ramadan, highlighting Abu Dhabi as the place to be for major retail events during the holy month.
Abu Dhabi Retail says the varied and busy campaign framed the city and wider emirate as a luxury destination in the Middle East with a passion for offering exclusive, high-end experiences.
To find out what else Abu Dhabi Retail has coming up - as well as where you can go to satisfy all your shopping needs - visit the website www.abudhabiretail.ae and follow Abu Dhabi Retail on Instagram @abudhabiretail
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
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Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
How to play the stock market recovery in 2021?
If you are looking to build your long-term wealth in 2021 and beyond, the stock market is still the best place to do it as equities powered on despite the pandemic.
Investing in individual stocks is not for everyone and most private investors should stick to mutual funds and ETFs, but there are some thrilling opportunities for those who understand the risks.
Peter Garnry, head of equity strategy at Saxo Bank, says the 20 best-performing US and European stocks have delivered an average return year-to-date of 148 per cent, measured in local currency terms.
Online marketplace Etsy was the best performer with a return of 330.6 per cent, followed by communications software company Sinch (315.4 per cent), online supermarket HelloFresh (232.8 per cent) and fuel cells specialist NEL (191.7 per cent).
Mr Garnry says digital companies benefited from the lockdown, while green energy firms flew as efforts to combat climate change were ramped up, helped in part by the European Union’s green deal.
Electric car company Tesla would be on the list if it had been part of the S&P 500 Index, but it only joined on December 21. “Tesla has become one of the most valuable companies in the world this year as demand for electric vehicles has grown dramatically,” Mr Garnry says.
By contrast, the 20 worst-performing European stocks fell 54 per cent on average, with European banks hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic, while cruise liners and airline stocks suffered due to travel restrictions.
As demand for energy fell, the oil and gas industry had a tough year, too.
Mr Garnry says the biggest story this year was the “absolute crunch” in so-called value stocks, companies that trade at low valuations compared to their earnings and growth potential.
He says they are “heavily tilted towards financials, miners, energy, utilities and industrials, which have all been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic”. “The last year saw these cheap stocks become cheaper and expensive stocks have become more expensive.”
This has triggered excited talk about the “great value rotation” but Mr Garnry remains sceptical. “We need to see a breakout of interest rates combined with higher inflation before we join the crowd.”
Always remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Last year’s winners often turn out to be this year’s losers, and vice-versa.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Bombshell
Director: Jay Roach
Stars: Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie
Four out of five stars
Bob%20Marley%3A%20One%20Love
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Reinaldo%20Marcus%20Green%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKingsley%20Ben-Adir%2C%20Lashana%20Lynch%2C%20James%20Norton%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A02%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
