Oman Economic Review – July 2019

56 July 2019

Please give us a brief on Markaz Al
Bahja Shopping Mall, its operations
and new initiatives?
Markaz Al Bahja Shopping Mall,
one of the Sultanate of Oman’s most
diversified malls, opened its doors on
November 14, 2002. Developed to give
Oman a mall of truly international
standards, Markaz Al Bahja is spread
over 34000m², consisting of three
floors which are shot through with
an impressive lineup of prestigious
retailing brands, fine dining options,
fun and entertainment experiences to
the discerning shopper.

Some of the global and well-known local
brands that make for an unforgettable
shopping experience for the serious
as well as the fun shopper at the mall
include IDdesign, Dessange Paris,
Matalan, Red Tag, Twenty4 Fashion,
Sun & Sand Factory Outlet, Ajmal,
Green Home, Capital Store, Lilac Make
up, Foton play area, Al Bahja Cinema,
Al Lilac, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Costa
Coffee. As years passed many new
international brands were added to
the tenant list. A well-known family
shopping destination in Oman, Markaz
Al Bahja also has a big parking facility,
which can accommodate 1,200 cars at
any given time.

Can you talk about the new plans and
expansion strategy?
We have recently tied up with one of the
leading hypermarkets in the GCC region
and opened a multilayered car park for
its customers where as many as 500 cars
can be parked.

We are looking to introduce more
SMEs to our tenant list and recruit
more Omanis to handle operations at
front and back offices. Currently our
Omanisation ratio is 85 per cent and we

RETAIL

Prashant Dutt, General Manager, Markaz Al Bahja Shopping Mall,

talks about Oman’s well-known family shopping destination’s new

initiatives and future plans

have plans to reach 90 per cent by the

end of 2019.

Can you talk about the measures

taken to overcome the challenging

market situation?

We have recently introduced several

impulse purchase brands at the mall

which helped us boost average purchase

value in a price-sensitive market. We

have also introduced regular activities

and competitions on social media, which

all helped to us to increase the footfall by

35 per cent, compared to last year.

What is your future outlook?

Our outlook is very positive. Oman’s

retail sales across four Gulf countries

are projected to increase by more than

$24bn over the next five years, with

Oman’s retail industry expected to

rise 9.3 per cent during that period.

Markaz Al Bahja is part of Al Bahja

Group companies, one of the oldest

and most diversified conglomerates in

Oman, known for its dynamic group

companies and leadership status in all of

its business areas. Established in 1947,

today Al Bahja Group is a name to reckon

with in the core sectors of economy

such as agriculture, FMCG, copper, real

estate, hotels & resorts, pharmaceuticals

and alternative energy solution. The

relentless pursuit for bringing quality

products and better services has

resulted in the Group’s phenomenal

success in the Sultanate. Driven by the

commitment to quality, Al Bahja group

is poised to repeat its success in markets

all over the world.