Abu Dhabi, UAE – 12 November 2026 – Makani Real Estate, the real estate arm of MAIR Group and owner of Mall of Al Ain, has signed an agreement with Apparel Group to introduce 20 brands to the mall, marking a key step in the mall’s redevelopment and bringing a wider range of fashion, footwear, beauty, accessories, sports, and family retail options to Al Ain across approximately 10,500 square meters of GLA.
The agreement brings an extensive line-up of brands to the mall, including R&B, OFF/PRICE, Birkenstock, Skechers, Aldo, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Charles & Keith, Fitflop, New Yorker, Levi’s, Inglot, Crocs, Koton, Babies & More, Rituals, Tim Hortons, La Vie en Rose, SPORTSCO, LC Waikiki and Call It Spring.
The first stores are expected to open in late Spring 2027. The new line-up will give visitors to Al Ain more choice across everyday shopping, fashion, footwear, beauty and lifestyle.
Reshaping Mall of Al Ain’s retail mix marks a significant milestone in the mall’s turnaround strategy. The agreement with Apparel Group will strengthen the mall’s retail offering through the introduction of 20 international brands across multiple categories, expanding choice for visitors and enhancing the overall shopping experience. This step supports Mall of Al Ain’s ambition to reinforce its position as a leading shopping and leisure destination, attracting visitors from across Al Ain and the wider UAE.
Haisam Sleiman, CEO of Makani Real Estate, said: “Bringing 20 brands to Mall of Al Ain is an important step in shaping the mall’s next phase. We are focused on building a retail mix that gives customers more reasons to visit, while creating a stronger proposition for our retail partners. This agreement with Apparel Group supports that direction and forms part of our long-term commitment to Mall of Al Ain and the Al Ain community.”
Neeraj Teckchandani, CEO of Apparel Group, said: “Our expansion into Mall of Al Ain is a strategic step in Apparel Group’s continued growth across the UAE. With 20 of our brands set to open in one destination – we are strengthening our footprint in Al Ain and delivering a broader, more diversified retail offer for this market.”
The agreement comes ahead of the planned redevelopment of Mall of Al Ain, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2027. The project will transform the mall’s external façade, upgrade retail and dining areas, improve customer circulation and accessibility, and relocate and expand the existing ice rink to nearly three times its current size. Hotel services are also planned as part of the expansion.
The redevelopment project will be delivered in phases to keep Mall of Al Ain operational throughout construction. Together, the planned upgrades and the addition of new brands will advance the mall’s next stage of development while maintaining its role as an established destination for the Al Ain community.
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About Makani Real Estate
Makani Real Estate, the commercial real estate arm of MAIR Group, is a leading developer and operator of retail destinations and community centers in the UAE. The Company manages a portfolio of more than 92 assets across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Dubai, comprising approximately 486,000 square meters of gross leasable area (GLA), more than 2,100 retail and commercial units, and over 70 malls and community hubs.
Its portfolio includes Mall of Al Ain, one of Al Ain’s leading shopping malls since 2001, with more than 350 retail brands and over 60 food and beverage outlets, Souq Al Jami’ Al Ain, located adjacent to Sheikh Khalifa Grand Mosque, and Makani Al Shamkha, a community retail destination serving Al Shamkha and surrounding residential areas. Makani Real Estate continues to expand its portfolio through an active development pipeline.
For more information, visit: https://www.makaniuae.com
About Apparel Group:
Apparel Group is a multibillion dollar conglomerate since 1996 based in Dubai, UAE, with a growing network of 2,600+ stores and a diverse portfolio of 85+ international brands across 14 countries. The Group has established a strong presence in the GCC—Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman—and continues to expand across key markets including India, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and Egypt. Offering an integrated omni-channel experience, Apparel Group represents global names such as Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, ALDO, Charles & Keith, and Tim Hortons. Its sustained growth is driven by a multicultural workforce of 28,000+ and steered under the leadership of its founders, Sima Ganwani Ved and Nilesh Ved.
For more information, visit: https://www.apparelgroup.com/en/