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BAHRAIN'S shopaholics have yet another destination for retail therapy following the opening this week of Al Rashid Group's (ARG) Oasis Centre in East Riffa, writes Shilpa Chandran.
The centre was inaugurated by the company's chairwoman Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa and Dr Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, on Monday.
Clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, electronics, furniture and bakery stores as well as food courts and beauty saloons are open in the centre.
Mothercare, Splash, Shoe Mart, Lifestyle, Max, Koton, Sarah, New Look, bossini, Posh, Shoexpress and E-Max all come under the company's umbrella and feature.
Rob Van Dongen, group malls and events manager, said: "We have 19 stores in total with two eating outlets, Saj Express and Pizza Inn, to open shortly alongside the Ruyan Pharmacy."
The Oasis Centre also features Bread Talk and Asgharali perfumes outlets. It had its soft launch back in October and now more than 90 per cent of the mall has been leased out. Company officials say that the initial response from shoppers has been encouraging. Mr Dongen added: "The footfall in the first week - and especially the weekend - was great.
"We have been featuring various activities for the entire family, especially for children with face painting, balloon twisters, henna and colouring competitions."
The 18,000 sq ft centre is spread across three levels with parking available for up to 250 vehicles. Zafar Nazar Ali, marketing manager of Al Rashid Group, said: "We are ideally located in the midst of a residential area.
"We cater to customers living in Jiddali, Jurdab, West Riffa, Hamad Town as well as East Riffa. We are also an easy access for people coming in from the National Stadium and the Sitra pipeline."
The centre is staging a special Eid promotion until Saturday offering prize LCD televisions.
The group is already planning another Oasis Centre in Muharraq by the end of next year.
Santosh K Pai, chief operating officer of Al Rashid Group, said: "Work has already begun for the 14,000 sq ft shopping centre and will feature the same stores and offerings."
