CITY Centre Sharjah, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, will celebrate education and International Literacy Day in September. In line with the initiative that Sheikh Mohammed, ruler of Dubai, has set for the year 2016 — the year of reading — the mall offers a range of education enhancing initiatives, culminating in its first-live spelling bee competition, which will take place on Sept. 14 and 15 and a cool interactive and convenient reading corner and storytelling session, both open to teenagers from Sept. 1 to 15. Aiming to prepare Sharjah's teens for their return to school for a new academic year, City Centre Sharjah has developed the spelling bee format, which will be linked through the mall's social media channels and available during the run-up period. Enabling contestants to match wits and underscore the importance of learning, literacy and communication, winners of the spelling bee will take home a certificate as well as electronic tools for schools and gift cards to celebrate their achievements. Similarly, the mall will invite participants through its links with schools and its online channels to visit the mall and enhance reading experiences for children. By hosting a series of reading workshops and storytelling, little ones can appreciate live narrative sessions. These will take place every evening from Sept. 1 – 13 from 5.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m. "Literacy and enjoyment of books is fundamental to residents in the UAE, as evidenced by the ‘Year of Reading' initiative throughout the country in 2016. City Centre Sharjah is contributing to this concept by encouraging teenagers to brush up on their spelling and writing skills as they prepare for the academic year, and finding a new platform on which to deliver great moments for everyone, everyday," said Mohammed Al Rais, mall manager – City Centre Sharjah. August and September are key retail periods around the region and the mall avail unbeatable offers of up to 75% discounts by retailers. Families can shop for all necessities, including books and stationery, electronics, and school-appropriate fashion. Shoppers who spend AED299 at City Centre Sharjah on their back-to-school needs can enter a weekly draw to win tuition fees worth up to AED20,000 Shoppers who visit the mall between 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon during weekdays will get instant scratch and win cards to win exciting freebies, additional entries to the draw and unparalleled discounted offers and vouchers on the tools to schools. City Centre Sharjah is one of the emirate's largest and leading shopping destinations, attracting more than 11.6 million visitors annually. With more than 120 international brands covering 38,000sqm of retail space, City Centre Sharjah offers mid-market retail mix of lifestyle, electronic and convenience-oriented stores such as Carrefour hypermarket, H&M, BHS, Sun & Sand Sports, and Splash. The mall's leisure offer includes 16 diverse dining outlets and a Magic Planet. In 2014, City Centre Sharjah received a Silver Award for Marketing, Sales and PR excellence at the Middle East and North Africa Shopping Centre and Retailer Awards. Recently, City Centre Sharjah announced an AED200 million redevelopment to introduce an additional 13,500sqm of new retail and leisure space, including a multi-screen VOX Cinemas. City Centre Sharjah opened in 2001, and is located on Al Wahda Street. The mall is owned and managed by Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa. Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one man's vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day'. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates' most respected and successful businesses spanning 15 international markets, employing more than 33,000 people, and achieving the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the Middle East. Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 19 shopping malls, 12 hotels and three mixed-use communities, with further developments underway in the region. The shopping malls portfolio includes Mall of the Emirates, City Centre malls, and also four community malls, which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. The Company holds exclusive rights to the Carrefour franchise in 38 markets across Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, and operates a portfolio of more than 160 outlets in 15 countries.
