Saturday 21 / December / 2024
Muscat: Muscat’s mall managers say they expect to a boost in sales of as much as 80 per cent during Ramadan and Eid .
Aruna Tavarkhed, deputy mall manager, Panorama Mall, said that they are expecting footfalls to rise by 80 per cent (from the existing levels) in the next one month. “We will be celebrating our first holy month of Ramadan with different activities at the mall, such as family events, Qaranqasho celebration and bike shows, so we are expecting the footfall to rise significantly,” she said.
Ben Watson, General Manager, Oman Avenues Mall, said Ramadan and Eid are the busiest times of the entire year, and this year will be no exception with a range of activities happening every single day during the month of Ramadan.
“We are expecting our footfall to rise by 300,000 visitors during Ramdan and Eid,” he told Times of Oman on Tuesday.
During Ramadan and Eid, he expects more than 1.5 million will visit Oman Avenues Mall.
Operating hours
As the footfall increases, malls in Oman plan more activities during Ramadan, besides extending the operating hours.
Muscat City Centre and Qurum City Centre malls will remain open from 10am to 1am throughout Ramadan. “Besides that we will offer a wide range of Arabic and international dining options for Iftar or Sohour,” a spokesperson of Muscat City Centre and Qurum City Centre said.
He also said that Oman Avenues Mall will also remain open till 1 am in the morning. “Some shops close at 10 pm while others close at 11 pm now, but during Ramadan we will remain open till 1am,” he said.
Oman Avenues Mall is also making a walking track that runs throughout the mall covering 2.25km. “We’re inviting people to experience the walk and burn off some of their calories after they’ve finished a heavy Iftar and completed their last prayers. Customers who do the walk and share their experience online through a hashtag or post update will go into the draw to win some great prizes including fitness watches from Polaris,” officials said.
Other Ramadan activities and events at Oman Avenues Mall will include: the Anasheed Band, An Aladdin theatre show, Qaranqasho, Hakawati shows, children’s Quran recital competition and Eid Play.
Themed décor
Officials at City Centre Muscat and City Centre Qurum said that they will embrace the holy month of Ramadan with beautiful and traditional themed décor adorning the malls. “City Centre Muscat and City Centre Qurum are encouraging the community to give to the less fortunate. Special collection boxes will be placed next to Carrefour in the malls, encouraging shoppers to donate any of these four essential items: clothing, non-perishable food, books, and toys. Additionally, City Centre malls are hosting an Imam to lead the Taraweeh prayers. Visitors can conveniently attend Taraweeh prayers during the Holy Month at the male and female prayer rooms. Celebrating a time-honoured Omani custom recognised on the 15th day of Ramadan, City Centre malls will host Qaranqasho,” it said.
Special Iftar
Panorama Mall said there will be events will be held from 10th June 2016 at intervals. “The mall footfall has increased with lot of interest from customers towards new brands, new restaurant concepts, etc. Mall has carved a niche for itself in bringing new brands many of which are first time in Oman not only in the fashion sector but also in the food choices. The food court and dine-in restaurants have a widespread menu with special Iftar propositions,” Aruna Tavarkhed added.
