Despite the growth of e-commerce, consumers in the Middle East prefer to visit physical stores, and mall culture remains firmly ingrained in the region. While Westerners often look at the proliferation of malls through the lens of consumerism, their role in the lives of people in the region goes beyond retail space. They are social and entertainment hubs. These sprawling complexes across the Middle East have become symbols of an ongoing evolution into a global hub of culture and commerce where history and modernity intertwine to create shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations.
Lebanese-Iraqi architect Karl Sharro sees a clear link between the traditional souqs and the modern mall—what he refers to as “cultural resonance.” He says, “We don’t separate the idea of trade from our everyday social interactions. Going to the mall, like going to the souq, is not purely a matter of utility; it is a way to meet other people.”
Because malls are large, open, climate-controlled spaces, they act as de facto community centers and public squares. The long summer stretches from mid-April through October, with temperatures hovering around 105o Fahrenheit (41o Celsius) or higher, making it unbearable to be outside for long periods.
The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres & Retailers projects the shopping center market to grow from $376.0 billion in 2023 to $586.5 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2023 to 2028, driven by evolving consumer preferences, expanding middle class, rising disposable income, and urbanization. Many feel the mall has been a conduit for the region’s social transformation over the last twenty years. It’s a place that’s a little freer where generations can interact and socialize.
The mega malls are monstrous ecosystems comprising shopping, tourism, leisure, and entertainment under one roof. Corner after corner, floor after floor, you never know what to expect. They are simply awe-inspiring, from libraries to luxury hotels, ice rinks to ski slopes, amusement parks to aquariums, and dinosaur skeletons to waterfalls. The one-upmanship of developers has created an increasingly outlandish array of attractions.
To this point, one of the world’s largest shopping malls is set to get even bigger. Emaar Properties announced plans for a $408 million expansion of Dubai Mall. Located opposite the planet’s tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa, the world’s second-largest mall spans 12 million square feet and welcomed 105 million visitors in 2023, a 19% increase year-on-year. It is home to over 1,200 stores and 200 food and beverage outlets, a 10-million-liter aquarium, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, an indoor Chinatown, a virtual reality park, an indoor SEGA theme park, and one of the world’s largest candy stores. The expansion will add an additional 240 luxury retail and dining outlets.
Top Mega Malls Of The Middle East
