Closure of Auchan hypermarket in Dubai

United Arab Emirates

Wednesday 12 January 2011

With the closure of the hypermarket in Dubai, Auchan seems to have missed its entrance in the Middle East.

Auchan and its local partner Retailcorp have decided to close the hypermarket in Dubai .

This store of 6,500 m² under the brand Auchan opened in 2009 in Dragon Mart in Dubai . This should be the first hypermarket to open with Retailcorp.

Auchan and Retailcorp have jointly decided to close this facility. Auchan said that the decision was taken due to "the changing economic environment." Retailcorp no longer intended to develop this type of format.

Dragon Mart offers a succession of Chinese and Oriental stores: a real "Chinatown". But this concept does not appear able to attract enough customers to the hypermarket.

The success of shopping centers in the region is based on an original concept to attract more visitors. These centers are often tourist attractions like the Dubai Mall (Geant Casino Hypermarket) with its giant aquarium and the Mall of the Emirates (Carrefour Hypermarket) with its indoor ski slope.

source: afp, francemoyenorient, MOCI