{"id":21018,"date":"2023-02-01T07:49:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-01T07:49:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meretailnews.com\/?p=21018"},"modified":"2023-02-01T07:49:48","modified_gmt":"2023-02-01T07:49:48","slug":"uae-malls-explore-the-metaverse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meretailnews.com\/2023\/02\/01\/uae-malls-explore-the-metaverse\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE malls explore the metaverse"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nThe metaverse is coming to Abu Dhabi’s malls.<\/p>\n
David Robinson, the CEO of Al Maryah Retail Company, said that ‘phygital’ \u2014 physical and digital \u2014 concepts will soon be a part of The Galleria Mall run by the company, which is located on Al Maryah Island.<\/p>\n
He added that the company is working on a number of initiatives that will include the metaverse and Web3, which are intended to be implemented in the mall’s physical space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are well advanced in terms of concept development and getting to proof of concept on two of these initiatives, which, for me, are game-changers. They call it \u2018phygital\u2019 \u2013 physical and digital retail working together \u2013 and it\u2019s an exciting area of growth\u201d Mr. Robinson told AGBI.<\/p>\n
According to Mr. Robinson, Al Maryah started on its physical and digital strategy at the start of 2021, but work has significantly accelerated over the past six to nine months.<\/p>\n
The Galleria has already started using some of the tools that enable retailers to combine in-person and online shopping. According to Mr. Robinson, technology has made it possible for the mall to offer conveniences like contactless interactive wayfinding inside the destination, QR code signups, and online reservation systems via an app.<\/p>\n
There is plenty of opportunities for malls and shopping centres to prospect the digital world, for two main reasons. One is that the shopping behavious shown by consumers during the pandemic are here to stay.<\/p>\n