Fashion Expo Arabia will provide your business with an unparalled opportunity to access a region where imports of clothing and fashion related products across the Middle East were estimated at nearly US$12 billion in 2007 with imports to the Arabian Gulf States alone being estimated at over US$5.6 billion.

Retail Growth in the middle east shows absolutely no sign of slowing down, the retail industry within the region is expected to exceed US$500billion by 2010 and Abu Dhabi is at the very heart of the region. Retail is the second largest non oil sector in the United Arab Emirates as well as across the GCC. The UAE is ranked 8th in analyzing the attractiveness of 25- retail markets around the world.

The UAE has positioned itself as a prime shopping and also re export destination for the Middle East, Europe and Asia. The clothing and fashion market in the UAE is experiencing astounding growth on the back of rising consumer spending, surge in tourists and a 150% growth in retail space. The UAE alone is predicted to spend some US$9 billion on garments and textiles by the end of 2009.

The Middle East and North African region is home to more than 270 million consumers with a GNP of US$1.4 trillion. This strong growth in consumer spending is being driven by the young with 70% of the regional population under the age of 30 The constant increase in population and tax-free incomes has resulted in an increased demand in retail space and development. This is evident with the annual 50% increase in shopping mall space in the Gulf alone. Current estimates see a spend of US$26 billion in the construction of retail space, this is set to significantly increase with new hotels coming on-line and the increasing air travel – the UAE alone will have some 100billion square feet of retail space by 2012