DEAL 2015 to funnel the merger of retail and entertainment businesses

With massive ongoing growth in the attractions, entertainment and retail industries in the Arabian Gulf and around the world, the upcoming Dubai Entertainment Amusement and Leisure show (DEAL 2015) will present a unique opportunity for business to be part of these growing sectors.

With major upcoming attractions, entertainment and retail projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, last year DEAL witnessed a huge gathering of stakeholders within the amusement and entertainment sector with 32 new exhibitors and several new countries.

In 2015, with the show being held from 14th to 16th April at the Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers International Expo Consults (IEC) expect this growth to continue.

IEC Chairman Abdul Rahman Falaknaz explains “leisure is a versatile term and an important facet of malls as it draws the families with the kids together.

“The latest trend is towards ‘the new age retail entertainment’ where a large entity backs an entertainment outlet which not only includes rides but cinemas, redemption machines and other forms of entertainment.

“Some years back it was possible for a retail mall to have its operations without an entertainment centre but not any longer. Family Entertainment Centres (FEC) are a must have feature for every mega mall in this region.

“Indoor theme parks are here to stay as you are more likely to go to the mall every week than an outdoor park due to the regions climatic conditions.

“This is one key component that will help indoor theme parks and FECs to grow at a remarkable pace in the near future.”

“Industry experts are of the view that shopping malls in the UAE are more focusing on enhancing their entertainment facilities as more and more visitors are increasingly stopping over retail malls for entertainment rather than shopping.

“Malls are striving to bring in new leisure attractions each year to keep the customers engaged.

“Retailers on the other hand are leaving no stone unturned to turn shopping into an entertainment experience and thereby increasing sales.”

DEAL 2015 show will have exhibitors from countries as diverse as Belgium, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, UK, France, Turkey and USA, apart from several new countries that come to the show each year.

Indoor centres ideally houses more than 2300 metre²are with elements that are bound to attract to bring the families together with their children to these outlets. These indoor centres encompasses latest family entertainment centre equipment, video games, redemption games and other innovative offerings to hold the young children spell bound.

Sharif adds “2015 seems to be a promising year for the retail and entertainment industry as operations in the leisure and amusement sector.

“The industry has registered an exponential growth in revenue in the last year.

“FECs are the main pillars that would be supporting the retail operations and developments within the Middle East and is pegged to grow at a fast pace in 2015 and beyond.

“Malls with FECs have registered a considerable hike in earnings in the last few months mainly due to the influx of tourists from other regions.

“FECs form the crux of the retail industry on a wider scale as without the fusion of FECs within retail malls, the whole retail sector would have been just another brick and mortar retail sector.”

DEAL 2015 is the Middle East’s largest attractions and entertainment exhibition.

For more information on DEAL 2015, click here to visit the show entry in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

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