Haitham Hajjar, Executive Director of Shopping Centres and Property Management at Al-Futtaim Real Estate, has affirmed that the UAE's retail centre sector continues to demonstrate strong performance in terms of resilience and stability throughout 2026, supported by the strength of the national economy, population growth, and the country's enduring appeal as a global destination for tourism and business.
In an interview with Al Bayan, Hajjar explained that the role of shopping centres is no longer confined to retail, but has evolved into an integrated ecosystem combining shopping, entertainment, dining, family experiences, and social interaction — amid a clear shift in consumer behaviour, as visitors increasingly seek longer and more diverse experiences within a single destination.
Hajjar noted that this transformation has been reflected in the group's investments, most notably the 'Distrikt X' project at Dubai Festival City Mall, which offers interactive experiences, adventure zones, educational activities, and diverse dining options, keeping pace with the shift towards integrated family entertainment destinations.
He explained that the UAE market, and Dubai in particular, has demonstrated a strong capacity to weather the repercussions of regional geopolitical conditions and maintain its operational momentum, benefiting from the strength of the local economy, a diversified customer base, and population growth.
The continued flow of visitors has also played a key role. He noted that reliance on local residents, Emirati families, and domestic tourism has helped sustain spending levels and footfall, while the retail, dining, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors have continued to post stable performance, reflecting the market's resilience and ability to adapt to regional and global shifts.
He pointed out that the first quarter of 2026 recorded strong performance compared with the same period last year, with some of the group's shopping centres achieving visitor growth of around 15%, supported by robust domestic consumption, tourism activity, and the expansion of entertainment offerings within the centres.
Regarding operational indicators, Hajjar confirmed that the average occupancy rate across the group's shopping centres in the UAE currently stands at approximately 96.5%, one of the highest rates recorded in recent years.
This reflects the continued confidence of both local and international brands in the UAE market and its capacity to deliver sustainable growth. He added that demand for retail space remains strong, particularly from the entertainment, food and beverage, lifestyle, fitness, and wellness sectors, with a growing trend towards locations that offer integrated experiences and high footfall.
He affirmed that tourism continues to play a central role in supporting the performance of shopping centres, given the UAE's growing stature as a global destination for tourism and lifestyle, which translates positively into visitor numbers and consumer spending.
He explained that integrated destinations combining hospitality, entertainment, and shopping have become increasingly capable of attracting visitors from both within and outside the country, and of reinforcing the sector's contribution to the national economy. On the subject of supporting national initiatives, Hajjar said the group is working to strengthen the presence of local brands and small and medium enterprises within its centres by providing flexible operating spaces, strategic locations, and joint marketing campaigns that help empower entrepreneurs.
He added that initiatives such as 'Boulevard Marsa' at Dubai Festival City have helped highlight Emirati concepts and emerging businesses, reinforcing the connection between shopping centres, the local community, and the creative economy.
Hajjar concluded by affirming that the sector's outlook remains positive, underpinned by continued population growth, infrastructure investment, strong domestic consumption, and expanding tourism activity. He expected UAE shopping centres to continue strengthening their position as integrated entertainment and lifestyle destinations, supporting sector growth in the period ahead.
Occupancy rates at shopping centres reached 96.5% in 2026
15% growth in visitor numbers at the group's shopping centres during the first quarter