Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping mall developer, retail and leisure pioneer in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, said the Dh56-million ($15.2 million) expansion work at its Matajer Al Juraina community mall was progressing well and on track for completion early next year.

The mall is part of the Matajer brand under Sharjah Holding, a strategic partnership between Majid Al Futtaim - Properties and Sharjah Asset Management Holding, which is a community focused retail estate developer.

The completion of Phase One of the Matajer Al Juraina mall last year saw the addition of 111 parking spaces, significantly improving the convenience and accessibility to the mall for customers, said the statement from Majid Al Futtaim.

Phase Two of the expansion, which was launched last May, will add 3,000 sq m of gross leasable area including 16 new brands and restaurants, it added.

New retail categories including fashion accessories and a wider scope for service-based outlets such as salons and banks will be added as part of the growth strategy.

In line with its commitment to elevate the customer experience by offering additional choices, the newly transformed neighbourhood mall will have the capacity to welcome an increased number of visitors to its new dining and shopping outlets, said the company in its statement.  

The redevelopment work will be completed in the first quarter of 2018. The enhancement will include a vibrant new redesign with a shaded pergola for al fresco dining, it added.  

Ali Al Abdulla, the senior director for community and neighbourhood malls at Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: "The expansion project at the Sharjah mall underscores Majid Al Futtaim’s effort to bring diverse retail options and superior customer experience to communities in the Northern Emirates."

"It also reinforces Majid Al Futtaim’s commitment to increasing the total investment in the UAE by Dh30 billion by 2026," remarked Al Abdulla.

Matajer Al Juraina opened in 2012 and is situated in a key residential area where it meets the everyday lifestyle needs of the community.

"We are redefining the role of community malls to meet the changing expectations of our discerning customers. Along with a wide range of value-based stores, the mall will be expanding its lifestyle offerings and dining options and add new services to meet the everyday needs of customers and enhance convenience," said the top official.

"Matajer Al Juraina is set to become an anchor for the community where families can come together to shop, eat and play," he added.-TradeArabia News Service