In the UAE, food & beverage and retail/fashion franchises perform best in malls due to foot traffic, while home services, fitness, and specialty cafes often do better as standalone stores with easy access and parking.

In UAE malls, cafés, dessert shops, beauty brands, and fashion franchises usually perform best because people love browsing, snacking, and impulse buying in air-conditioned comfort. Standalone locations work better for gyms, clinics, car services, and bigger restaurants places people intentionally drive to. It’s really about matching the vibe of your business with where customers naturally show up.

In the UAE, food and beverage, quick-service restaurants, and retail kiosks tend to perform exceptionally well in malls due to high foot traffic, visibility, and impulse buying. Standalone stores, on the other hand, suit home services, fitness centers, larger retail outlets, and specialty stores that benefit from dedicated spaces and loyal local customers. Choosing the right model depends on target audience, location strategy, and operational needs to maximize profitability and brand exposure.