A unique concept in the retail and hospitality sector is being rolled out by the Lootah’s. The group is launching neighborhood ‘Super Centers’ in Dubai under a flagship brand – SouqExtra! -- to offer convenient daily shopping and basic community services to major townships and residential complexes.
Super centers, which are common in some western countries, come with integrated services like pharmacy, salon, fitness centres, banking, laundry, kids’ play area and entertainment activities, all developed around the core of a community’s daily needs. These Centers are designed to help the community meet their daily needs without having to drive to big supermarkets or face traffic congestion and its attendant problems.
The SouqExtra! brand was unveiled at the Cityscape Abu Dhabi by Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Founder and Concept director – SouqExtra!, who announced that the first four outlets would be commissioned in Dubai by mid-2008 at Ewan Residences, Al Barsha, Al Quoz & Al Muhaisnah.
“SouqExtra! answers Dubai’s crying need for neighbourhood convenience stores, as it saves the residents harried trips to big supermarkets to buy day to day items,” said Mr. Lootah. “In the first phase, we will be opening 8 outlets by 2009, and increase the number to 20 in five years. We plan to take SouqExtra! to all the emirates and across the GCC in coming months.
“Developers of residential townships in Dubai have shown great interest in the super centre concept, as such a facility represents a value added proposition to everyone,” added Lootah. “Our model is flexible enough to make room for the required conveniences after taking into consideration the demographic profile of the community we operate in.”
Each purpose-built SouqExtra! Outlet will be built around a neighbourhood’s ‘daily needs’ concept, with secondary stores providing additional community services. There will be a community activity area where activities like children’s shows, health shows and re-creational programs will be held on a consistent basis.
Built around the fundamentals of ‘Convenience, Quality, Fresh, Health & Family,’ each outlet will occupy an area of 30,000 - 50,000 sq. ft. & boast a unique design with an ambience exuding calm and serenity, to serve as a one-stop shop for the day to day needs of the community.
