Malls are in full swing for the holy month, shoring up their activities lists to counteract the drop in shopper numbers and decreased food and beverage revenues.
For example, Dubai-based Majid Al Futtaim Malls, which has in its portfolio Mall of the Emirates as well as City Centre malls in Sharjah, Ajman and Fujairah, has extended opening hours by four hours on weekend nights.
Across the country, the hours are extended to 2am throughout the week, with food and beverage outlets open as late as 3am to accommodate those who are fasting during Ramadan.
The company's properties are running a regional charity campaign, Make a Difference this Ramadan, where visitors can donate funds, clothes, books, food and mobile phones through Red Crescent UAE. Donation boxes are in the malls.
“Mall visitors can also donate goods at Magic Planet, where they can give toys won in-store to less privileged children,” said a Majid Al Futtaim spokeswoman.
At Mall of the Emirates’ Ski Dubai, visitors can donate their Dh20 locker deposit, and Dh1 from every ticket sold at Vox Cinemas is being donated to the campaign.
In Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi, the Deerfields Mall is closed between 1pm and 7pm. To attract shoppers, it is holding calligraphy, ceramic, glass painting, and fanush-making classes for children (fanush are paper balloons that rise by hot air).
Emaar's The Dubai Mall is hosting Afghan master weavers at The Souk Atrium, where they spin wool and make carpets. The exhibition is in partnership with Afghanistan's Tanweer Investments, which works to empower women through job opportunities in carpet production. Also, the Emirati artist Mattar bin Lahej is displaying three pieces of stainless steel and engraved calligraphy.
During Ramadan, the mall’s extended hours are from 10am until 2am, while the dining outlets will be open until 3am.
Dubai Marina Mall is displaying art from Authentique Art and Design, ProArt Gallery and Monda Gallery.
ABU DHABI
Deerfields Mall
10am to 1pm and 7pm to 1am. Carrefour is open throughout the day from 10am to 1am, with all food and beverage outlets open from 7pm to 1am.
Marina Mall
10am to 1pm; branded shops such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel are open 10am to 3pm and 8pm to 1am. Food outlets: 7pm to 1am.
Al Wahda Mall
Shops are open from 10am to 1am; food outlets are open from iftar to 2am. Lulu hypermarket: 9am to 1am.
Abu Dhabi Mall
Stores are open 10am to 1pm and 8pm to 1am and on Fridays from 8pm to 1am; food outlets are open from 7pm to 1am. Abu Dhabi Co-op Hypermarket: 10am to 1am.
Dalma Mall
10am to 1pm and 8.30pm to 1am all week; food outlets are open for dine-in from 6.30pm to 1am; Carrefour open from 10am to 1am.
Yas Mall
10am to 1am all week; restaurants are open from 6pm to 1am; Géant hypermarket from 10am to 1am.
DUBAI
Majid Al Futtaim malls
Weekdays 10am to 2am; Weekends 10am to 3am. Northern Emirates: Saturday to Thursday retail shops 10am to 1am; food and beverage: 10am to 2am; Friday 2pm to 1am. Oman: Daily 10am to 1am.
The Dubai Mall
10am to 2am daily; dining outlets until 3am. Ice Rink: 10am to 2am, Sunday to Thursday. Sega Republic: 10am to midnight, Sunday to Thursday. KidZania: 10am to 1am, Sunday to Thursday.
Dubai Marina Mall
10am to 1am. Njoi playzone: 10am to 6pm; Sunday to Thursday.
SHARJAH
Mega Mall
Saturday to Thursday 11am to 3pm and 8pm to 1am; Friday 8pm to 1am.
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