Massive mall ‘will open in Dubai on October 30th’

The launch date for one of the world’s largest shopping malls has been announced by officials.

The launch date for one of the world’s largest shopping malls has been announced by officials.

In news that may be of interest to shopaholics heading out on flights to Dubai, the Dubai Mall will be opened on October 30th by Emaar Malls Group and will cover some 12 million square feet of retail space, it has been revealed.

Not only will the new centre house 1,200 shops and 120 food and drink outlets, it will also feature an aquarium, an ice rink and a gold souk, Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar said.

“The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre, the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink, the world’s largest indoor gold souk and hundreds of retailers will open simultaneously, giving visitors several retail and leisure options,” he commented.

October was chosen for the mall’s launch because it coincides with an extended retail season in the region marked by the holy festival of Eid Al Adha, New Year and the now well-known Dubai Shopping Festival.

Earlier this month, figures from Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing show that of the one million visitors to Dubai from the UK last year, two-thirds say they plan to return soon, reported the Financial Times.