Majid Al Futtaim Accelerates Retail Visibility for 27 UAE Creative SMEs through Ma’an Initiative
Introduction of Ma’an Initiative
Dubai, UAE – Majid Al Futtaim, a prominent leader in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, has unveiled the first cohort of its Ma’an initiative. This program, developed in collaboration with Dubai SME, aims to support and elevate UAE-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative will showcase 27 selected creative SMEs across various lifestyle brands, including THAT Concept Store, Crate & Barrel, VOX Cinemas, Activate, and iFly, providing them with enhanced retail visibility at no cost.
Supporting Local Creativity
The inaugural cohort highlights local talents, featuring brands such as Silsal, Oomi Coffee, Bliss Flowers, Maison Tini, and Matcha Theory, with additional brands set to be announced. Ma’an serves as a platform designed to transition UAE-based creative SMEs from concept to market, granting them immediate access to premium retail environments and high-traffic audiences within Majid Al Futtaim’s ecosystem. This initiative aims to facilitate direct market entry for homegrown businesses by offering timely and practical support.
Alignment with Dubai’s Cultural Vision
The Ma’an initiative aligns with the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio, which was launched by Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This portfolio acts as a vital mechanism for connecting creative enterprises with retail and exhibition opportunities throughout the emirate.
In this initial phase, the 27 selected SMEs will be integrated into Majid Al Futtaim’s lifestyle brands, including immersive experiences like Activate and the indoor skydiving facility, iFly, located in City Centre Mirdif. This marks the beginning of a long-term strategy aimed at expanding support for these brands, enabling them to reach a wider consumer base.
Expansion Plans and Future Cohorts
The Ma’an initiative is set to expand across Majid Al Futtaim’s shopping malls and entertainment venues in the coming weeks, with plans to announce additional businesses as the program evolves. Designed as an ongoing platform rather than a one-time event, Ma’an seeks to eliminate significant barriers to market entry. By providing access to premium retail spaces and media amplification at no cost, the initiative addresses one of the creative sector’s most pressing challenges: achieving commercial visibility.
Khalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, emphasized the importance of integrating local creatives into their ecosystem, stating that these entrepreneurs bring fresh energy and originality to their destinations. He expressed pride in welcoming this first cohort, highlighting their potential to enrich customer experiences and foster the next generation of retail innovators.
Commitment to Creative Industries
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design, and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, noted that the Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio is designed to support entrepreneurs and cultural ventures by providing high-quality opportunities. She emphasized that Ma’an reflects Dubai Culture’s commitment to building an integrated ecosystem that enhances the readiness of the sector and supports its growth, aligning with Dubai’s vision to establish itself as a global hub for the creative economy.
Al Suwaidi further stated that the first cohort represents a significant milestone in implementing the portfolio’s objectives, particularly in sustaining artistic production and providing diverse, multi-purpose spaces free of charge to Dubai’s creative community. This initiative empowers local creatives to play an active role in advancing the cultural and creative industries, which are essential components of Dubai’s knowledge-driven economy.
Selected Brands in the First Cohort
The brands selected for the inaugural Ma’an cohort include:
- Beit Walif
- Bliss Flowers
- BON PROTEIN BAR
- Boonz
- Cookie Barn
- Drypt Coffee
- Grawtitude PlantBased
- Joy in Jars
- Macromize
- Maison Remie
- Maison Tini
- Matcha Theory FZCO
- Nada Fayyad
- Nomads Roastery
- Nutty’nola
- Oomi Coffee
- Pluto
- Proyo
- Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery
- Silsal
- So Much Trouble
- Studio Chloro
- Superfoods On The Go (OTG)
- The Fix Coffee
- Wellness Works UAE
- Zaid Farouki
- 530 Carats
Further announcements regarding the expansion of Ma’an and additional support for UAE-based creatives are anticipated as the initiative continues to grow.
About Majid Al Futtaim
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is an Emirati-owned, diversified lifestyle conglomerate with operations spanning the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The company has evolved into one of the region’s most respected businesses, employing over 41,000 individuals and serving 600 million customers annually across its physical and digital ecosystem. With assets valued at approximately $20 billion, Majid Al Futtaim holds the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately held companies in the region.
The group owns 29 shopping malls, including the flagship Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Oman, along with several luxury hotels and mixed-use developments. It has also introduced modern grocery retail to the region and operates nearly 500 stores under various brands.
Majid Al Futtaim serves as a gateway for global fashion, home, and beauty brands into the Middle East, and operates over 600 VOX Cinemas screens, alongside renowned leisure and entertainment experiences such as Ski Dubai.
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Published on 2026-05-14 20:15:00 • By the Editorial Desk
