Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi attends anniversary event as the retail group enters its eighth year with expansion across the Emirates
SHARJAH — September 5, 2026 : Safari Mall Sharjah has marked seven years of operations, commemorating its anniversary on September 4 with high-profile celebrations and a major promotions package that includes half a million dirhams in cash rewards and an SUV giveaway.
The retail complex, home to one of the largest hypermarkets in the United Arab Emirates, held its official anniversary ceremony on Friday evening. Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office, attended the proceedings as chief guest alongside Safari Group Chairman Aboobacker Madappat, Executive Director Shameem Backer, community leader Chacko Oolakkadan, and business representatives.
Safari Mall opened its doors in Sharjah in 2019, shortly before the global retail sector faced unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Group leadership noted that navigating those initial years relied heavily on supply continuity, competitive pricing, and building customer trust during period restrictions.
Addressing the gathering, Aboobacker Madappat emphasized that the retail destination was built around community engagement rather than transactional retail alone. He noted that the mall will maintain its consumer-first policy across departments, expanding festive experiences for families across both its Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah properties.
The retail footprint of the group expanded significantly following its Sharjah rollout, including the establishment of its Ras Al Khaimah location. Executive Director Shameem Backer stated that customer response across both emirates has laid the groundwork for further branch openings in other regions of the country. He highlighted the Sharjah mall’s dedicated gold souq corridor, which houses approximately 22 individual jewellery outlets under one roof, as a central operational milestone.
To mark its entrance into its eighth year of service, Safari has initiated several consumer-facing competitions and promotions across food, arts, and family games. Shoppers spending Dh50 or more at Safari Hypermarket enter an electronic raffle offering a collective Dh500,000 in cash prizes. Purchases of Dh50 or more across retail tenants within the mall complex qualify visitors for a separate lucky draw to win a new JAECOO SUV.
The anniversary programs running through the season include cooking and street food challenges, culinary showcases, painting competitions, time-trial games, and family carnivals designed to drive footfall across community shopping hubs.
