SouqExtra! Ewan Residences, the first outlet of the national chain of community supercenters, located in Dubai Investment Park, recently concluded its first Community Bazaar to an enthusiastic reception from members of the local residential community.
The day-long initiative was launched with the aim of offering customers an authentic souq experience with a local flavour. Customers interested in selling any products at the Community Bazaar could reserve space to sell new and used goods – from books and DVDs, to home-made goods, handicrafts, antiques and electrical appliances. Visitors to the community bazaar got the opportunity to browse through a variety of products while simultaneously getting to know their neighbours and strengthening the community spirit.
“The SouqExtra! retail concept was always going to be based on a strong community element, and the first Community Bazaar has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the local community,” said Saleh Abdullah Lootah, Managing Director of SouqExtra!.
Lootah confirmed that the first Community Bazaar saw 30 points of sale managed and manned by local residents. All participating residents reported sales of goods that covered initial set-up costs, which was a very encouraging result for the inaugural event.
“This has been our most innovative community activity to date and marks a good beginning to the Activity Calendar we have put in place for 2010, which has already held other activities since the start of the year – such as Saturday Fun Day aimed at families with young kids. Participants of the recently held Community Bazaar have already requested us to hold another similar event in the near future,” said Mustafa Jassem, Head of Marketing in SouqExtra!.
SouqExtra! is a pioneering lifestyle supercenter model, representing an innovative retail concept shaped by extensive research into outlet positioning as well as the quality and variety of services offered. It offers an innovative program that encourages local entrepreneurs to enter the exciting retail scene, and focuses on providing access to amenities and services that connect consumers' professional and family life to the larger community, adding something Extra! to life.
SouqExtra! has put in place a strategic plan to open 75 outlets across the UAE and the Middle East over the next 10 years. The decision follows the positive reception of the concept within the local retail sector and among target consumer groups.
The confidence in this new retail concept is confirmed by the number of reputed investors who have invested in SouqExtra!, which include the Lootah Group, Emirates Post Group, National Bonds Corporation, Bonyan Holding, Abbasi Group and a number of high net worth individuals.
