More than 20 new brands are set to open across City Walk and The Beach JBR, building on strong occupancy and rising footfall. The list includes Tesla, iSTYLE and Chipotle, plus new leisure concepts, with refurbishments for long-running names to keep spaces fresh. It mirrors a broader market trend, as UAE retail is set to reach USD 70.5 billion in 2025. 

New brands arriving: the topline

The pipeline adds scale and variety, and it will land soon.

• 20+ new brands planned across City Walk and The Beach JBR
• Headliners: Tesla, iSTYLE, Chipotle, Replay Karaoke Lounge
• Strong base: 98% occupancy at City Walk, 100% at The Beach JBR
• Strategy: adaptable leasing to match lifestyle demand

Merex says the next phase will introduce over 20 names, with Tesla, iSTYLE, Chipotle and Replay Karaoke Lounge among those flagged. The push comes off high occupancy and sustained footfall growth, and is framed as a long-term, adaptable leasing strategy aligned to Dubai’s growth.

City Walk: more depth, not just more doors

City Walk keeps leaning into categories and experiences.

• 220+ brands across F&B, wellness, automotive and office space
• Upcoming: Chipotle, iSTYLE, Market by Sacrlet’s, Bateel, Amali Properties
• Recent adds: Wagamama, Raising Cane’s
• Refreshes: renovations at The Rolls-Royce Boutique

City Walk has grown into a mixed-use ecosystem with more than 220 brands and defined zones. The new round brings Chipotle, iSTYLE, Market by Sacrlet’s, Bateel and Amali Properties, while Wagamama and Raising Cane’s have already landed.

The Rolls-Royce Boutique is also getting a refresh. If you’re planning a visit, our guide to the C2 licensed district at City Walk is handy for food and drink planning.

Mobility gets louder: Tesla, EVs and more

The automotive cluster is expanding with fresh EV energy.

• New entrants: Arcfox, AWR Electric Mobility, Tesla
• Builds on City Walk’s dedicated mobility zone
• Keeps the destination relevant for car shoppers and test drives

City Walk’s mobility cluster adds Arcfox, AWR Electric Mobility and Tesla, which should drive more showroom traffic and weekend footfall. If you’re tracking EVs locally, here’s our recent piece on the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD launch in the UAE.

The Beach JBR: refreshed mix by the water

Dining, retail and entertainment get new names and upgrades.

• New concepts: Massimo’s Italian Restaurant, Liverpool FC Store, Replay Karaoke Lounge, The Sports Bar at La Mezcaleria
• Renovations: P.F. Chang’s, Eat Greek, Sushi Art, Roxy Cinemas
• Destination profile: 70+ brands and a temperature-controlled Pavilion with six licensed restaurants

The Beach JBR continues as a year-round draw for residents and tourists. Recent additions broaden the leisure mix, while upgrades for existing favourites keep the space current. The Pavilion, set up with six licensed restaurants, helps during the hotter months, keeping indoor-outdoor options viable next to the shoreline.   

The market context for Dubai retail

Underlying demand is doing the heavy lifting.

• UAE retail sales expected to reach USD 70.5bn by end-2025
• Population growth and tourism support tenant demand
• Operators lean into lifestyle-led, mixed-use formats

The numbers point the same way: retail spending keeps growing, which rewards operators who can adapt quickly. Merex’s thesis is to stay ahead of how people use destinations, curate for modern lifestyles, and reinvest to keep things relevant. That aligns with the sales outlook and with how Dubai residents use places like City Walk and The Beach for more than just shopping. 

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