Al Ain, UAE. Mall of Al Ain has signed an agreement with Apparel Group that will bring 20 international brands to the Al Ain shopping destination, in a deal that marks a key step in the mall’s redevelopment. The new stores will cover around 10,500 square metres of gross leasable area and will add fashion, footwear, beauty, accessories, sports and family retail to the mall, with the first openings expected in late spring 2027.
The agreement was signed by Makani Real Estate, the real estate arm of MAIR Group and owner of Mall of Al Ain. The company says the deal strengthens the mall’s retail mix and gives shoppers in Al Ain more reasons to visit, while creating a stronger proposition for its retail partners.
The brands coming to Mall of Al Ain
The line up brings 20 names to the mall in one move. Shoppers will find R&B, OFF/PRICE, Birkenstock, Skechers, Aldo, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Charles & Keith, Fitflop, New Yorker, Levi’s, Inglot, Crocs, Koton, Babies & More, Rituals, Tim Hortons, La Vie en Rose, SPORTSCO, LC Waikiki and Call It Spring.
The mix is broad by design. Footwear arrives with Birkenstock, Skechers, Aldo, Fitflop, Crocs and Call It Spring, fashion with R&B, New Yorker, Levi’s, Koton, LC Waikiki, Beverly Hills Polo Club and OFF/PRICE, accessories with Charles & Keith, beauty with Inglot and Rituals, lingerie and loungewear with La Vie en Rose, sport with SPORTSCO, family essentials with Babies & More, and coffee with Tim Hortons.
Haisam Sleiman, CEO of Makani Real Estate, said the agreement is an important step in shaping the mall’s next phase. “We are focused on building a retail mix that gives customers more reasons to visit, while creating a stronger proposition for our retail partners,” he said. “This agreement with Apparel Group supports that direction and forms part of our long term commitment to Mall of Al Ain and the Al Ain community.”
Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group, said the move is a strategic step in the group’s continued growth across the UAE. “With 20 of our brands set to open in one destination, we are strengthening our footprint in Al Ain and delivering a broader, more diversified retail offer for this market,” he said.
Redevelopment work to begin in early 2027
The agreement comes ahead of the planned redevelopment of Mall of Al Ain, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2027. The project will transform the mall’s external facade, upgrade retail and dining areas, improve customer circulation and accessibility, and relocate and expand the existing ice rink to nearly three times its current size. Hotel services are also planned as part of the expansion.
The redevelopment will be delivered in phases so the mall stays open and trading throughout construction. Together, the planned upgrades and the arrival of the new brands will move the mall into its next stage of development while keeping its role as an established destination for the Al Ain community.
Mall of Al Ain is one of the oldest and largest shopping destinations in Al Ain, spread across around 53,000 square metres. It opened in 2001 and today hosts more than 350 retail brands and over 60 food and beverage outlets. MAIR Group acquired the mall in 2024, and the Apparel Group agreement is the first major step of its turnaround to reach shoppers directly. The development will also bring a wider selection of casual and family dining choices to the mall.
About Makani Real Estate and Apparel Group
Makani Real Estate is the commercial real estate arm of MAIR Group and a leading developer and operator of retail destinations and community centres in the UAE. The company manages a portfolio of more than 92 assets across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai, covering around 486,000 square metres of gross leasable area, more than 2,100 retail and commercial units, and over 70 malls and community hubs. Its portfolio includes Mall of Baniyas and Mall of Musaffah, along with Souq Al Jami’ in Al Ain and Makani Al Shamkha, a community retail destination serving Al Shamkha and nearby residential areas.
Apparel Group is a multibillion dollar fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate based in Dubai. Founded in 1996, the group now runs more than 2,600 stores with a portfolio of over 85 international brands across 14 countries. It has a strong presence across the GCC, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, and continues to expand across India, Southeast Asia, South Africa and Egypt. The group is led by its founders Sima Ganwani Ved and Nilesh Ved and employs a multicultural workforce of more than 28,000 people.
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Disclaimer: All information in this article was shared by Mall of Al Ain. UAE Startup Story has not verified or confirmed its accuracy and accepts no responsibility for it.
