Macy's to Open in Abu Dhabi

The Middle East will be getting the world's first Macy's department store outside the United States. On Tuesday the fashion retailer announced its plans to open Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores in the United Arab Emirates' oil-rich capital of Abu Dhabi, in 2018.

Part of a strategic partnership with Al Tayer Group LLC, a leading UAE-based company with diversified businesses the stores will be located in The Galleria on Al Maryah Island, opening in Spring 2018.

“As a spectacular new world-class shopping destination, Al Maryah Central provides an outstanding opportunity to introduce Macy’s to customers who live and work in the booming UAE market, as well as to visitors who come from around the world for events, business and holidays,” said Terry Lundgren, Macy’s, Inc. chairman and chief executive officer. “Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s already are well known globally. They are destinations for international tourists to the United States and play an important role in popular culture domestically and globally."

Khalid Al Tayer, CEO - Retail, Al Tayer Group said “We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Macy’s Inc., with the launch of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s in Abu Dhabi. Having recorded almost five successful years with Bloomingdale’s–Dubai, we are confident that the offering from Macy’s will have an equally strong appeal in the Middle East region. Both Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have entrenched themselves as market leaders in department store retailing in the U.S., and we look forward to delivering the same unrivaled shopping experience to customers in Abu Dhabi.”

This will be Macy’s first international store location and the second for Bloomingdale’s. Financial details were not disclosed.