As the summer holiday season begins, Jashanmal Group is set to bring its highly anticipated Warehouse Sale: Summer Edition to Cityland Mall Dubai. Following the overwhelming response to its recent Warehouse Sales in the region, the legacy retailer aims to create a family-focused sale for all ages.

The five-day shopping extravaganza taking place from June 24th to 28th is thoughtfully designed to offer a vibrant mix of shopping experiences. Adding to the experience, the Warehouse Sale: Summer Edition will feature a curated selection of premium international brands such as Kenwood, Clarks, Kipling, De’Longhi, BALLY, Hoover, Delsey Paris, Russell Hobbs and many more.

Commenting on the initiative Mr. Anurag Verma, Chief Distribution Officer, Jashanmal Group said, “Given the overwhelming popularity and enthusiastic response to our warehouse sales this year, truly a favorite among shoppers, we are thrilled to bring the highly anticipated Warehouse Sale Summer Edition to Dubai. Summer is a time when families come together, planning their travels and preparing for the season ahead, and it is truly the perfect time to shop. At Jashanmal, we bring together everything you need, offering a complete destination for all your summer shopping needs across multiple lifestyle categories.”

As the retail shopping experience continues to evolve in line with the changing consumer lifestyles and expectations, Jashanmal Group remains at the forefront of delivering immersive, experience-led engagements whether through unique retail concepts, seasonal campaigns and enhanced shopping experiences.

Aligned with the UAE Year of the Family, The Warehouse Sale: Summer Edition underscores the Group’s commitment to community focused initiatives, while celebrating the importance of family at the heart of life in the UAE.

Mr. Verma further added, “We are proud to offer an experience that reflects community spirit, togetherness and joy of shared moments. Through our upcoming sale, we are bringing together trusted brands, exciting experiences and attractive offers in one destination, creating a shopping event that the whole family can enjoy.”

By Carlo Magistretti, Chief Strategic Advisor, Sobha Furniture

For decades, premium furniture has been closely associated with established European manufacturing centres, particularly Italy, where design heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural influence have shaped global standards. That reputation is deserved. But the global landscape has changed.

Today, the conversation around premium products can no longer be defined by where something has traditionally been made. It must be defined by the quality of design, the precision of execution, the consistency of production, and the value delivered to the customer.

The UAE is a powerful example of this shift.

This is a country built on ambition, but more importantly, on the ability to turn ambition into reality. It is a place where bold ideas are not left as concepts. They are planned, engineered, built, and delivered at scale. From iconic skylines and world-class infrastructure to landmark hospitality and residential developments, the UAE has consistently shown the world what is possible when vision is matched with execution.

That same spirit is now shaping its manufacturing sector.

“Made in the UAE” is no longer a statement of convenience or proximity. Increasingly, it is becoming a mark of quality, capability, and confidence. It reflects a country that has invested deeply in industrial infrastructure, advanced technology, logistics, talent, and operational excellence to create a manufacturing ecosystem that can compete on a global stage.

The momentum behind this shift is clear. The UAE’s manufacturing industry recorded 7.7% growth in Q1 2025 and contributed 12.8% to non-oil GDP, underscoring the country’s growing industrial capability and its role in the wider economic vision.

For UAE-based businesses that continue to rely solely on imported products, whether from Italy or any other market traditionally associated with premium craftsmanship, there is a risk of overlooking what is happening here. The Emirates are no longer simply a destination for global products. They are becoming a place where global standards are created, manufactured, and delivered.

The premium furniture industry needs to recognise this change. Premium should not be reduced to geography. It should be measured by design integrity, material quality, manufacturing precision, service reliability, and the ability to deliver consistently. By those measures, UAE manufacturing is proving that it can stand alongside some of the most established production hubs in the world.

At Sobha Furniture, we have long believed that the future of premium furniture manufacturing is about integrating the design excellence and the manufacturing expertise within one fully integrated ecosystem.

This philosophy has shaped the way we build our business. Our own design teams in Milan – Italy draw on deep expertise in creating proportion, materiality, timeless aesthetics, and meaningful living solution while our manufacturing capabilities in the UAE ensure that these ideas are engineered, produced, finished, and delivered with precision.

This high level of integration is fundamental. In furniture, design and execution cannot exist as separate disciplines. A compelling design only achieves its full value when it is translated flawlessly into the finished product. By connecting design, engineering, manufacturing, finishing, and quality control within a unified process, innovation moves faster, customisation becomes more achievable, and the original design intent is preserved throughout every stage.

For customers, this translates into a more dependable experience, with greater transparency, rigorous quality assurance, enhanced flexibility, and confidence that every piece is delivered exactly as intended.

In recent years, global supply chains have faced repeated disruption, from shipping delays to material shortages and geopolitical pressures. Businesses that rely heavily on distant production networks have often found themselves vulnerable to factors beyond their control.

Manufacturing in the UAE changes that equation. It gives brands greater control over quality, timelines, and responsiveness. It also creates a clearer connection between a brand, its product, and its place of origin. From a customer’s perspective, that translates into confidence and trust.

This belief also shaped the launch of Flaer during Milan Design Week. Flaer represents a new expression of what a premium furniture brand from the UAE can be: globally minded, rooted in Italian design culture, and powered by the UAE’s ability to make ambitious ideas real. Presenting Flaer in Milan was not only a design statement, but a statement of confidence. It demonstrated that a brand conceived, manufactured, and built through the UAE’s capabilities can enter one of the world’s most influential design conversations with clarity and credibility.

This is the opportunity in front of us. The UAE has already earned a global reputation as a place where bold visions are realised. Now, that same reputation is extending into manufacturing, design, and industrial excellence.

The real question is no longer whether UAE manufacturing can compete internationally. The evidence increasingly shows that it can. The question is whether businesses are prepared to move beyond outdated assumptions and recognise the opportunity this shift presents.

As an industry, we must move beyond the belief that premium is synonymous with imported. Excellence can be designed globally, manufactured locally, and delivered to the world. The brands that embrace this mindset will not only strengthen their own competitiveness but will also help define the next chapter of global manufacturing.

The future of premium furniture will belong to those who can combine design excellence, manufacturing precision, operational control, and customer confidence into one seamless experience. The UAE is increasingly proving that it can do exactly that.

As the summer months approach, heat resilience is becoming a key priority for the UAE’s built environment. In the region, cooling can account for up to 80% of a building’s total electricity consumption, making design and construction choices critical not only for comfort, but also for long-term efficiency and sustainability. At the same time, the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 targets a 40%  reduction in energy demand across key sectors. This means buildings can no longer depend only on mechanical cooling after completion. The decisions made during planning, design, material selection, and construction directly influence how liveable a building will be for future residents and tenants.

For Access Consult, years of experience across the UAE’s built environment have shown that designing for this region requires a clear understanding of climate, local regulations, cultural context, user comfort, and operational performance. Drawing on this experience, Access Consult outlines six construction choices that can help make buildings in the UAE more heat-resilient.

1. Choosing the right building orientation

One of the most effective ways to reduce heat gain is to study how the building sits on its plot. Orientation affects how much direct sunlight a building receives during the hottest parts of the day. Research in the UAE shows that north-facing windows consume 36% less annual cooling energy compared to windows facing other directions.

Consultants can help developers assess sun paths, neighbouring buildings, wind direction, and views before finalising massing and layout. By reducing unnecessary exposure on the most heat-sensitive façades, buildings can perform better before any mechanical cooling system is even switched on.

2. Designing façades that work with the climate

The façade is one of the most important elements in heat-resilient construction. It is the building’s first line of defence against solar radiation, heat transfer, glare, and outdoor temperature extremes.

High-performance glazing, shading devices, insulated panels, balcony projections, façade fins, and carefully selected cladding systems can all help reduce heat gain. The aim is to design a building envelope that supports comfort and energy efficiency. In the GCC, façade design must balance daylight, views, aesthetics, durability, and thermal performance.

3. Using materials with better thermal performance

Some materials absorb and retain heat quickly, while others help regulate internal temperatures more effectively. Choosing appropriate insulation, wall systems, roofing materials, and external finishes can significantly improve a building’s performance during summer.

Light-coloured external materials can help reflect sunlight, while insulated walls and roofs reduce heat transfer into the building. In large developments, these choices can make a noticeable difference to indoor comfort and operational costs over time. Good material selection also supports durability, which is critical in environments exposed to intense sun, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.

4. Strengthening wall insulation and airflow

In hot climates, double-wall construction, cavity walls, and insulated blocks can help reduce the amount of heat entering a building and support more stable indoor temperatures. While these options may slightly increase initial construction costs, they contribute to long-term comfort and efficiency.

Cross ventilation should also be planned early. Windows on opposite walls, open layouts, and ventilation shafts can support natural air movement through the building. When airflow is properly considered, interiors feel less stagnant and cooling systems do not have to work as hard.

5. Planning roofs and outdoor areas carefully

Roofs are among the most exposed parts of a building, making them a major source of heat gain. Standard dark bitumen roofs in the UAE absorb up to 90% of solar radiation, reaching punishing surface temperatures of 70°C to 80°C in the summer.

Strong roof insulation, reflective finishes, shaded service areas, and, where suitable, green or landscaped roof zones can improve performance. Outdoor spaces should also include shaded walkways, covered parking, pergolas, heat-appropriate paving, and shaded communal areas to make developments more usable during warmer months.

6. Coordinating efficient HVAC systems early

Even with strong passive design, buildings in the UAE still require mechanical cooling. This makes HVAC efficiency critical. Consultants should coordinate cooling systems early with architectural, structural, and MEP teams to ensure cooling loads are calculated accurately, ducts are properly routed, and systems remain accessible for maintenance.

Energy-efficient HVAC choices include high-SEER units, smart or programmable thermostats, regular maintenance planning, clean filters and ducts, and properly sealed and insulated air ducts.