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Al-Futtaim IKEA Concludes Earth Weeks Campaign with Bold Sustainability Commitments

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Al-Futtaim IKEA announced its new sustainability initiatives and targets for 2025 during an event at its Yas Mall store in Abu Dhabi, where it also celebrated the success of its recent “Earth Weeks” campaign.

The event, attended by Francois Brice, Fuel & Commercial Executive Director at EWEC, and members of the Department of Community Development, Department of Energy and EWEC. The event featured presentations by Pooja Dhingra, Regional Sustainability Manager of Al-Futtaim IKEA, and Ouateil Sgheir, Market Manager of Abu Dhabi, who discussed both the brand’s global ambitions and local impact.

From Awareness to Action: Earth Weeks Campaign

The event also spotlighted Al-Futtaim IKEA’s successful initiatives and campaigns during “Earth Weeks”—the brand’s six-week, sustainability-focused period from mid-March to the end of April. Engaging customers and colleagues in climate-conscious practices under the theme of “Start at Home,” the campaign promoted practical, everyday actions, like energy saving, reducing food waste, recycling, and reusing, as the building blocks of sustainable living. Reflecting the positive impact of these efforts, sales of sustainable products doubled during this period—demonstrating that sustainability is not only achievable but also accessible and affordable.

One of the campaign’s most creative activations, the “Switch-Off Trade Off”, reimagined Earth Hour by having Al-Futtaim IKEA employees turn off lights in the offices and showrooms on behalf of community members who were tied up with essential tasks. Another highlight, “Wait for the Drop,” introduced a unique online playlist with tracks mimicking the sound of running water, promoting mindful water use in bathrooms.

Additional moments included celebrating Mother’s Day by honouring mothers as the original sustainability heroes, recognising their everyday efforts in nurturing both family and the planet.

Clean Energy Milestones

Al-Futtaim IKEA also announced three stores, located in Fujairah, Al Ain, and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi, have achieved LEED Gold certification. This recognition highlights the implementation of eco-friendly practices across the locations, including 10% lower energy consumption, 55% water savings, improved indoor air quality, and significant progress in waste reduction and recycling.

 On May 2, 2025, Al-Futtaim IKEA reiterated its long-term sustainability commitment by announcing a strategic partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company. Through the agreement, EWEC will provide IKEA UAE with Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) to cover 100 per cent of the electricity consumed across its four stores in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), CECs are the only accredited instruments in Abu Dhabi that certify electricity consumption is sourced from renewable and clean energy generation. This milestone marks a significant step forward in IKEA UAE’s efforts to reduce scope 2 emissions and operate in a more environmentally responsible manner.

Vinod Jayan, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim IKEA UAE, Egypt, Oman and Qatar, commented: “At Al-Futtaim IKEA, sustainability is central to how we operate, innovate, and serve our communities. We believe that sustainable living should be simple, affordable, and accessible to all. Our Earth Weeks campaign reflects our responsibility to lead by example in the region, protect the planet’s most vital resources, and empower the many people to be part of this journey. Change starts at home—but its impact extends far beyond.”

He continued: “This commitment to long-term change is demonstrated by the actions we’re taking across our operations to reduce environmental impact. Over the past year, our fleet of electric trucks has helped us avoid 29 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions of seven passenger cars driven for a year. We’re also making significant progress in food waste reduction. By using anaerobic digesters in two of our stores, we divert 160 tonnes of food waste from landfills each year, saving CO₂ emissions equivalent to the energy required to power 98 homes for an entire year. As a business proudly rooted in the UAE’s success, we’re fully aligned with the country’s Environment Vision 2030.”

Empowering Future Sustainability Leaders

On Earth Day, Al-Futtaim IKEA welcomed members of Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) community for the first in a series of collaborative sessions focused on practical sustainability. Hosted in partnership with the Al-Futtaim Youth Council and Sustainability Team, the first session at IKEA Yas Island, Abu Dhabi explored circular economy and sustainable living, featuring an interactive store tour, a waste-sorting workshop, and a blind tasting experience.

These sessions form part of a broader knowledge exchange initiative between Al-Futtaim IKEA and Y4S, designed to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders through real-world insights and collaborative dialogue.

Strengthening Biodiversity and Water Commitments

Al-Futtaim IKEA’s sustainability targets are aligned with Inter IKEA’s global ambitions, focusing on reducing environmental impact across the value chain, strengthening ecosystems, and driving positive societal change in collaboration with customers, partners, and policymakers.

Inter IKEA is also advancing its sustainability agenda with a strong focus on water stewardship, working to reduce freshwater use, improving water quality, and ensuring access to clean water in high-risk areas across its value chain, efforts that will enhance water resilience for both ecosystems and communities.

Looking Ahead

Building on the Earth Weeks campaign, Al-Futtaim IKEA is entering a new chapter of sustainability, rooted in action, accountability, and collaboration. The company remains committed to creating a positive impact not only within its stores and supply chain, but also across the wider community, making sustainable living a reality for the many.

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ARABIAN ACRES DELIVERS LANDMARK AED 400M COASTAL LAND ACQUISITION, SETTING NEW RECORD FOR RESIDENTIAL LAND TRANSACTIONS IN THE UAE

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Arabian Acres, a Dubai-based luxury real estate brokerage and development advisory firm specialising in super-prime residential and commercial transactions, has concluded the acquisition of three adjacent freehold plots in Jumeirah Coastline for a collective value of AED 400 million (approximately USD 109 million). The deal represents one of the most significant private coastal land assemblies in Dubai and marks the largest residential land transaction completed in Dubai.

This transaction comes at a time when global capital is increasingly seeking resilient, well-regulated markets. The UAE’s policy stability, strong governance and long-term growth fundamentals continue to reinforce its position as a preferred investment destination

“Large-scale land acquisitions of this nature reflect steady institutional and private wealth confidence in the UAE’s regulatory transparency, economic resilience, and long-term growth trajectory. Sustained capital inflows into Dubai’s prime and super-prime real estate segments continue to reinforce the UAE’s position as one of the world’s most stable and resilient investment destinations. At Arabian Acres, our role goes beyond brokerage. We work closely with local & international clients to navigate and execute complex, high-value opportunities in Dubai’s evolving real estate market.” Issa Atiq, CEO, Arabian Acres.

The consolidated landholding spans over 113,000 sq. ft, with a stretch of 160 metres of private beachfront along the Arabian Gulf, forming one of the last remaining contiguous coastal development opportunities of this scale in the Emirate. The transaction was completed in March 2026 and registered through the Dubai Land Department as three coordinated unit transfers. Arabian Acres structured, sequenced, and executed the entire acquisition, acting as exclusive broker for both buyer and seller. 

The combined site is projected to deliver a gross development value exceeding AED 1 billion, driven by its extreme scarcity, scale and the planned integration of Dubai’s only residential land opportunity combining private beach access with a dedicated residential yacht marina. The development will comprise three ultra-luxury villas, each with direct beachfront access and private marina docking.

According to Dubai Land Department data, the three plots have appreciated between 255% and 335% over the past three years, underscoring both the scarcity of prime coastal land and the sustained demand for ultra-luxury residential assets. As contiguous beachfront plots become increasingly rare, structured land assemblies are expected to diminish further, amplifying the strategic significance of this transaction.

“This was a tightly structured transaction that required all three plots to move together. The window to secure this site was exceptionally narrow, as these were the last adjacent beachfront plots of this scale. Once developed, this combination of site, beach and planned marina access will be exceptionally difficult to replicate, making this one of the most strategically significant land transactions we have led to date” Added Issa Atiq.

While global markets continue to navigate heightened uncertainty, the fundamentals underpinning Dubai’s investment appeal remain firmly intact. Finite by nature and impossible to replicate, prime beachfront and waterfront land continues to attract significant capital from ultra-high-net-worth investors seeking long-term value, stability and asset security. Supported by strong regulatory frameworks, freehold ownership protections, RERA oversight and long-term economic planning, Dubai continues to reinforce its position as one of the world’s most transparent and resilient real estate markets.

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WESTERN FURNITURE EXPANDS PORTFOLIO WITH NEW BRANDS ‘CIERRE’, ‘ZANOTTA’, AND ‘DESALTO’

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While Showcasing Global Partnerships at Salone del Mobile 2026

Western Furniture Brands, one of the UAE’s leading luxury home and lifestyle retailers in UAE, recently captivated attendees at the prestigious Salone del Mobile 2026 in Milan, the world’s most prestigious design and furniture exhibition. Renowned as a global benchmark for innovation and craftsmanship, the annual event brings together the industry’s most influential brands and design visionaries.

Marking a significant milestone in its growth journey, Western Furniture announced the acquisition of ‘Cierre’, ‘Zanotta’, and ‘Desalto’, the newest addition to its distinguished portfolio in the UAE. This strategic expansion reflects the company’s continued commitment to curating world-class brands and elevating the region’s luxury interiors landscape.

With a rich and diverse portfolio, Western Furniture proudly represents some of the most renowned names in international design, including Tonin casa, Tomasella, Draenert, Cierre, Natuzzi italia, Unopiù, Miniforms, Calligaris, Adriani rossi, and Reflex , each embodying excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless aesthetics.

A key highlight of this year’s participation was Natuzzi Italia, exclusively represented by Western Furniture in the UAE for over 15 years. The brand, which operates a flagship store in Dubai, showcased its latest collections, reaffirming its leadership in contemporary Italian design.

Mr. Mikdad Babhrawala, CEO of Western Furniture LLC, expressed his pride in the longstanding partnership, emphasizing its strength and continuity. He noted that Natuzzi Italia, as a globally recognized brand with a rich heritage, has maintained a strong and enduring presence in the UAE market for many years.

Mr. Mikdad continue “the presence of our brands at Salone del Mobile reflects our long-term vision to continuously bring the finest global design experiences to the UAE. The addition of ‘Cierre’, ‘Zanotta’, and ‘Desalto’,  to our portfolio marks an exciting new chapter, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, exclusivity, and growth. We take great pride in our enduring partnerships with globally respected brands like Natuzzi Italia, which have played a pivotal role in shaping the luxury interiors landscape in the region.”

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MILANO BY DANUBE INTRODUCES “GLOBAL DIRECT” STRATEGY AT CANTON FAIR AMID GLOBAL SHIPPING UNCERTAINTY

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Milano by Danube, a leading global lifestyle and home solutions brand, has introduced its new “Global Direct” logistics strategy at this year’s Canton Fair, responding proactively to ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions across key shipping routes impacting global trade. Global Direct model stands as the most agile logistics strategy that allows the brand to ship products directly from its international hubs to partners across global markets and bypass traditional transit routes.

The move comes at a time when conflict-driven disruptions across major shipping corridors have created delays, rising freight costs, and operational uncertainty for businesses that rely heavily on conventional shipping networks. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Milano has adapted quickly by restructuring its supply chain model to ensure uninterrupted deliveries for its partners worldwide.

Through its Global Direct approach, orders placed at Canton Fair are fulfilled directly from Milano’s global hub in China and routed straight to destination markets, eliminating dependency on congested Middle Eastern transit points and significantly reducing delays which will ensure faster and more reliable deliveries.

Speaking about the strategy, Mr. Sahil Sajan, Director of Milano, said, “The current global environment has made businesses rethink how they operate and move products across borders. We recognized early that waiting for traditional shipping channels to stabilize was not an option. Our Global Direct model ensures that our partners continue receiving products on time while maintaining cost efficiency and supply continuity.”

Milano’s presence at Canton Fair received an overwhelmingly positive response from international traders, distributors, and partners who are increasingly exploring alternative logistics solutions to sustain their businesses amid growing uncertainty.

The company observed a significant shift in conversations at the event, with traders from across regions actively seeking dependable alternatives to conventional shipping routes in order to avoid prolonged delays and operational disruptions.

Despite ongoing geopolitical challenges, this year’s Canton Fair witnessed remarkable global participation. The event remained as vibrant and crowded as ever, drawing visitors, buyers, and business leaders from across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and beyond, underscoring the resilience of global trade and the determination of businesses to adapt.

Mr. Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman of Danube Group, added, “What stood out at Canton Fair this year was the resilience of global businesses. The fair was packed with buyers from around the world, and a common concern among many was finding faster, more reliable ways to keep their businesses operational. Our Global Direct strategy directly addresses that need and positions Milano as a reliable partner during uncertain times.”

As businesses continue to navigate an evolving global trade landscape, Milano’s strategic shift reflects its commitment to innovation, adaptability, and ensuring that partners remain competitive regardless of external challenges. With Global Direct now in motion, Danube Group’s Milano is reinforcing its position not just as a leading lifestyle and home solutions brand, but as a business partner equipped to solve modern supply chain challenges.

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