Footfall drops at Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates amid war in Middle East

Amid the conflict in the Middle East, sales of European brands have declined in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Reuters writes.

Luxury brands in March reported sales drops of 30-50% at the Mall of the Emirates, one of Dubai’s largest, compared to the same month last year, according to a source with knowledge of the previously unreported figures.

Footfall at the Mall of the Emirates, home to luxury boutiques spanning LVMH’s Louis Vuitton and Dior, Kering’s Gucci, Richemont’s Cartier, Chanel and Rolex ​alongside an indoor ski resort and a wellness clinic, dropped by 15% in March, according to the source.

Traffic at the larger Dubai Mall, ⁠which is more popular with tourists, was down around 50%, this source and a second industry source added, indicating a potentially even larger sales drop.