The world’s largest shopping mall is about to grow even further

Spanning 12 million square feet, the Dubai Mall is already the world’s largest shopping center by area. The upcoming expansion will introduce an additional 240 luxury stores and new dining options.

Located next to the Dubai Fountain and the towering Burj Khalifa, the mall also features the largest aquarium, an immersive digital art gallery, a complete dinosaur skeleton dating back 155 million years, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and a 26-screen cinema.

In a recent statement, Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, called the expansion “a fantastic addition to one of the globe’s most visited destinations.”

Dubai saw an influx of tourists last year, with the mall attracting 105 million visitors, a 19% increase from 2022. The planned expansions are designed to cater to the rising number of visitors as the city continues to invest in its tourism sector.

While global brick-and-mortar retail faces a decline, the UAE’s retail spending rose by 14% last year. This growth was largely driven by fashion (up 31%), general retail (up 16%), and leisure and entertainment (up 15%), according to Majid Al Futtaim Group’s annual retail economy report. Long-running government initiatives, like the Dubai Shopping Festival, have helped solidify the city’s reputation for top-tier shopping experiences.

Emaar has yet to reveal the timeline for when construction will commence on the expansion.