Dubai : Waitrose will open its newest Middle East store on Thursday at the newly opened Dubai Marina Mall to coincide with the launch of Dubai Shopping Festival 2009.

The 26,000 sq ft Waitrose store is the result of a licensing agreement with Fine Fare Food Market and follows the debut for Waitrose in the UAE and outside the UK at The Dubai Mall in Nov, 2008.

Ian Ferguson, general manager, Dubai Marina Mall, said: “The opening of Waitrose, which adds to the mix of outlets already open, is a reflection of the Dubai Marina Mall’s objective of bringing in as many unique shopping experiences as possible to the city.”

As well as Waitrose supermarket goods, the store will also carry a selected range of John Lewis non-food products, he revealed.

Dubai Marina Mall has a gross leasable area of 390,000 sq ft spread across four levels and featuring 160 stores.