By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Union Coop, the largest Consumer Cooperative in the UAE, opened its 3rdMall – ‘Al Warqa City Mall’ costing AED 347 Million and 578 thousand, covering a total area of 685 thousand and 112 sq. ft., with a construction cost of AED 373 per square ft. This comes as a part of Union Coop’s endeavor to achieve one of its most important strategic goals, which is planned expansion and increasing its outreach to serve the members of society and shareholders, as well as contribute to obtaining a unique shopping experience. The Mall adopts international level specifications that allow shoppers to enjoy a unique shopping experience while maintaining safety at the same time.
The announcement was made during the press conference at the inaugural ceremony of Al Warqa City Mall, in the presence of H.E. Khalid Humaid Bin Diban Al Falasi, CEO of Union Coop, joining him in the ceremony the Division and Departments’ Directors as well as section Managers and other dignitaries from Union Coop.
During the grand inaugural occasion, Al Falasi said: – “Union Coop works as per the well-thought-out expansion plans that contribute towards a sustainable national economy, which is also in-line with the directives of the wise leadership – of providing sustainable food resources in the country and to build a food security system as a top priority. All these actions will help in improving the strategic commodity inventory stock up to 20%,” indicating that Union Coop is committed to providing goods and products at competitive prices, which is aimed at enhancing the happiness of the shoppers.
Al Falasi added: – “What distinguished Al Warqa City Mall is its strategic location in the Al Warqa -3 area, which will serve the residents of both Warqa and Mirdif area, in addition to a large segment of residents in the surrounding area as well. The new center also has a front façade of 191.26 meters on Tripoli Street, the vital link between Dubai and Emirates Road. He explained that the center consists of 5 floors, which are basement, ground, first and office floors. The center also provides 28 points of sale and two hypermarket entrances.
42 stores and 11 kiosks
With regards to the shops inside the center, CEO explained that: – “The total number of shops present is 42 distributed on the ground and 1st floor of which 26 are on the ground floor, 16 stores are on the 1st floor and about 11 commercial kiosks are distributed on the ground and 1sr floor,” highlighting that 90% that is 37 out of the 42 shops have already been leased. The stores range from Banks, money exchange, health centers, pharmacies, restaurants, pastry shops, Jewelry shops, perfumes, Men’s and Women’s tailor shops, Flower shops, Optics, household items, beauty salons and electronic game stores .etc.
He added that “the number of leased kiosks amounted to 10, with an occupancy rate of 90%. The activities of these kiosks varied between mobile services, flowers, perfumes, foodstuffs, sweets and accessories.” indicating that the total commercial area is 69, 391 square feet, and the total leased area including the kiosks is 63, 000 square feet, an increase of 90%.
1000 parking spaces for vehicles
He stated, “The center includes 1000 parking spaces for vehicles distributed on the basement and ground floors with an area of 300, 000 square feet, which constitutes 43% of the total area of the commercial center, indicating that the center includes 4 entrances and exits distributed as follows – entrances / exit at the rear side of the ground floor and entrance / An exit at the front and sides, as well as 8 pedestrian entrances on both the ground floor and the basement.
The largest branch of Union Coop
The CEO said: – “The total area of the building amounts to 685 thousand and 112 square feet, which constitutes 28.50% of the total construction area of the branches and centers of the Union Coop, that is 2 million 412 thousand and 112 square feet, area of the shop constitutes 10.66% of the total buildup area and 143 thousand and 353 square feet of the hypermarket area represents 21% of the total area of the center and about 20% of the total areas of the Union Coop’s branches amounting to 704 thousand and 504 square feet, indicating that the Union Coop Hypermarket branch in the mall includes more than 48 thousand Food and non-food product and more than 161 food and non-food categories. “
He pointed out that the mall includes a wide variety of shops with international and local brands, as well as many restaurants, in addition to a large medical center, a pharmacy, jewelry stores and others that meet the needs of the mall-goers and residents of the surrounding areas.
