Bloomingdale’s opens first non-U.S. stores

New York City Bloomingdale's has made its debut in the Middle East, opening two stores -- a three-floor, 146,000-sq.-ft. fashion and accessories store, and a 54,000-sq.-ft. housewares unit -- in the Dubai Mall, in Dubai. It is the department store retailer’s first foray outside of the United States.

Bloomingdale’s, a division of Macy's, teamed up with the United Arab Emirates' Al Tayer Group, which is investing 270 million dirhams ($73.5 million) in the venture. Al Tayer is a diversified group with interests in autos, contracting, distribution, publishing, retail and services. It operates in 12 countries across the Middle East and represents more than 600 brands including Ferrari, Ford, Land Rover, Harvey Nichols, Armani and Gucci.

The opening of the stores was timed to coincide with the Dubai Shopping Festival, an annual promotional campaign that draws regional shoppers.

"We are bringing the best of America to Dubai with Bloomingdale's," said Shireen el-Khatib, chief executive of Al Tayer Insignia, the group's luxury retail division.