Galeries Lafayette opens in Dubai

Iconic French retailer Galeries Lafayette is to open its first department store in the Middle East, in the Dubai Mall in Dubai. Occupying 192,000 square feet, it will be the UAE's biggest single store. Philippe Houze, owner and group chairman of Galeries Lafayette, said the move signalled a new phase for the company. "The choice of Dubai is fully in line with our decision to develop into an international chain," he said. "The next phase may involve Asia - notably Shanghai and Macao."

The department store, which was founded in 1895 and sells fashion, homeware and food, will be joining the likes of Bhs, Debenhams, Harvey Nichols and US department store Saks Fifth Avenue and will likely fill a niche between the middle and more upmarket stores. This is the group's only other store outside France. The first opened in Berlin in 1996.