The Pearl-Qatar has tied up with a new retail consultant to help the island reposition itself as a more “welcoming” and less high-end destination, developer United Development Company has announced.

The news comes as several restaurants there struggle with falling sales due to an ongoing alcohol ban, while other establishments have recently been found guilty of health violations. Complaints from residents about noise pollution have also been increasing.

According to a statement released by UDC, the UAE-based mSquared Shopping Centres will “address issues of retail planning and merchandising, market positioning, anchor strategy and tenant selection for the various retail components on the island.”

UDC CEO Ebrahim Al-Sulaiti added:

“This is a step towards creating a diversified shopping hub and repositioning the retail identity at The Pearl-Qatar from one that is perceived as being heavily upscale to the more comprehensive, welcoming, flexible and balanced shopping personality we’d like to have for the Island.”

Would you be more likely to frequent the Pearl if it opened stores that are not as high-end as the ones it has now?

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Brian Candy