2. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Bright lights with exciting looking car-related logos draw you in to the showroom
3. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Lazy use of Times New Roman (or similar) on a cheap sticker for the website address makes the showroom look cheap, and
contrasts sharply with the expensive cars inside
4. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Abu Dhabi is a city of contrasts, and here this is starkly demonstrated as filth pours onto the pavement from the waste overflow
pipe meters from the Rolls Royce sat inside the showroom
5. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Inside the shiny, well-polished cars look inviting, but there’s no escaping that awful website address sticker
6. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Why do all expensive car showrooms have shiny floors? I’ve just noticed this, and looking at the reflection of the McLaren above, it
makes it look somehow more exciting and dynamic – especially when combined with those insanely powerful lights
7. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
The logo is overly bling, as you might expect, but there’s another wonderful contrast with a down-to-earth Subway advertisement
of the billboard just outside the entrance
8. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Why have two doors when you can have three? It looks ludicrous, but it’s a good question – certainly for some of the larger
families out here in the Middle East (with more money than sense) this could be perfect for the school run
9. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Messy promotional displays seem out of place in a showroom like this – probably wouldn’t matter much as it isn’t entirely clea what
they’re advertising… and the traffic cone is brilliant
10. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Not entirely sure what this is for, but it adds to the surprisingly messy feel of the interior
11. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Parts of the interior really appealed to my car enthusiast side, like this magnificent solitary wheel left standing in a small side room
that seems to be doubling as a store room
12. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Another wonderful example is this engine – it’s not entirely clear what it’s here for, but it is exciting. It’s such a shame that they’re
not making the most of it, having it perched in the corner next to a fire extinguisher seems like a missed opportunity
13. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Two-tone Rolls Royce caters perfectly to the target Arab customers
14. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Having so much room around the vehicles makes them seem somehow more special – we visited a Ford garage after, and
although the furbishing was nicer, the cars were closely packed together, which made them seem less unique
15. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
The bright lights really are everywhere, and mostly point directly at the polished cars. Are we really that simple that we’re attracted
to glittering things like magpies?
16. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
For when your standard Rolls Royce wheels just aren’t cool enough
17. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
That iconic logo, more carefully polished than any other part of the car
18. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Not all the lights were switched on – those in empty areas were off, presumably to accentuate those areas that were occupied with
cars. The ceiling and light fittings are filthy, and badly in need of a refurbishment
19. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
One common theme for all the stores we visited was interior plants, another is pointless, generic paintings – it strikes me as a
missed opportunity that so much interesting original art work is available cheaply, yet stores still insist on this generic stuff
20. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
No contact whatsoever with the sales staff – on the one hand they probably figured early on that we were a few hundred thousand
dollars short of the price tag for even the cheapest car on display, on the other hand exclusive stores are often less intrusive
21. Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Judging by the quality of the ageing air conditioning control, it was probably set to 5 degrees just to maintain a normal temperature
in the desert sun – though this one had been turned off, presumably just prior to closing the store for the night
22. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
There’s something strangely inviting about the eclectic, jumbled display of never-sold items in the front window of the store – it
seems like a world filled with possibility, something that modern generic supermarkets lack
23. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
As usual in Abu Dhabi, the pavement is filthy, but what purpose are these stone blocks serving? I’d understand if they were a ramp
or a step. Also, why is there a sticker on the door at ground level?
24. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Interesting to see the English language newspapers on prominent display
25. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
A theme for a number of these stores is broken lights – there seems to be a massive opportunity in offering hassle-free exterior
store maintenance services on a subscription basis or similar
26. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Presumably these items are carefully selected by the store owner as the most likely to entice customers in to the store, but the fact
that they never seem to sell (or rotate) would suggest otherwise
27. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
I love this wall of colour that greets you as you enter the store. This full use of space and varied mix of items points to a world of
opportunities, a treasure trove where you never know quite what you might find
28. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Entering deeper into the store you see the items that you likely came for, the drab washing liquids and water bottles rather than the
enticing, colourful food packaging. It is amazing that even in a store this size, customer routes are clearly being considered
29. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I have a real love for stationary – and this display is the equivalent of stationary porn for me –
chaotic, but somehow ordered into its rightful place
30. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
At the back of the store is the bottled water – that precious substance that makes life out here in the Middle East possible – At
about $0.5 a litre, it’s roughly twice the price of petrol in Abu Dhabi. Notice the prayer mat rolled up on the right
31. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Interesting to see how many lights there are for sale, when the exterior lights at the front of the store are not working. Perhaps they
are intentional left broken to save money? More likely no-one has taken the initiative to change them
32. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
These awful strip lights are so ubiquitous in supermarket stores – perhaps the supermarket stores could learn something from the
car showroom to improve their spotlighting of key products?
33. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
It’s amazing how much of the guts of a shop are on display, and you never normally notice because you automatically filter out
items that you aren’t on offer
34. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Another example of that is this sink, which I would never normally have noticed tucked away behind the soft drinks refrigerator
35. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Apart from water (because it’s hot, and the tap water is disgusting), and light bulbs (because the wiring an electricity are
poor, causing bulbs to blow frequently), the other staple item is tissue boxes, which are customary anywhere you might have
36. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
It’s amusing how Mars probably paid for this unit on an exclusive contract to stock Mars items only, yet the shelf is now being used
for dairy products. Perhaps the original contract has now lapsed but the owner is too lazy to change it. Missed opportunity?
37. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Or maybe the advertising was simply paid for on a payment-for-display basis – I’ve just realised how little I know about retail
marketing practices in the Middle East
38. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Interior
These displays are in any store in the Middle East (and Asia as a whole). At first glance I find it repugnant that white skin is seen
as the paradigm of beauty, but on the other hand, is that just post-colonial guilt? Is it any different from tanning crème?
39. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Leaving again I notice the self-repairs on the plumbing and window – these really detract from the appeal of the store. Amusingly
this is the only store that we were confronted by the shopkeeper and asked why we were taking photos!
40. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
It is unusual to see graffiti in Abu Dhabi, perhaps it has been created by the store owner to make his store into a hipster-cool
destination store…or maybe not
41. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
The hum of air conditioning units is ever-present in the Middle East, so much so that you don’t normally notice them until they drip
on your head – would it be so hard to find a way to collect the drops somewhere?
42. Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi - Local Environment
More graffiti – this time some of it in Arabic
43. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
This sweet shop is the most inviting so far – the use of lighting is good, and the various crystal and silver displays look very
enticing
44. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Here the marble floor seems to work well with the down lights from the ceiling installation, similar to the car showroom. What is
that painting? The traditional frame seems to contrast with the modern lighting style
45. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
There has to be a way to make these parking ticket machines less obtrusive, or remove them all together – they really spoil the
look of the store exterior
46. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Attention has been paid to the Arabic sign to make the font and style similar to the English sign, this is a good attention to detail
that keeps the brand consistent across languages
47. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
What are these crystal cases holding? It feels like they should be filled – though perhaps it’s to highlight the fact that they are for
sale (as well as the sweets)
48. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
These interior flowers are fake, unlike most of the plants that are featured in this presentation
49. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Exterior
Silver displays are well-polished, and catch your attention well, dragging you inside
50. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
The card-logo stickers are the most lackluster part of this store – they’re easy to miss, and need replacing with new vibrant
stickers. Do the banks ever follow up with replacing these, or is it left to the retailer?
51. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Scuff-resistant flooring protects the marble
52. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Locks on glass doors are so unobtrusive – so much so that I haven’t really noticed them before
53. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Wonderful presentation of the dates, though it’s a shame that they have to cover them in plastic wrapping. Perhaps an air-tight
display would remove this need and protect the dates better, while displaying them more effectively?
54. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Pre-arranged sweet boxes for convenience
55. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Entrance
Wonderful old-school style presentation of nuts – reminiscent of an old sweet shop, but using modern Ikea jars
56. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Similar story with the sweets being covered in polythene
57. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Perhaps the most interesting display in the shop so far, we found this mixed dried fruit jar so exciting that we had to buy a bag. We
then spent the next 20 minutes comparing dried fruit. The verdict? Old favourites Mango and Pineapple good, peach a surprise hit!
58. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
The entire range of dried fruit nicely breaks up the lines of the refrigerated sweet displays, and adds variety to the colour. Why can
I not buy dried peach anywhere else? I really think this product would sell well in organic stores in the west
59. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Nice contrast between dark and light chocolates, well-lit as ever by the powerful lighting
60. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Simple, central display of Macaroons is very enticing, and sticks with the principle of “less is more” when it comes to exclusivity. As
is the case throughout this store, the use of colour is fantastic
61. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Whatever happened to this style of price-tag?
62. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi - Interior
Amusing side-piece cockerel – perhaps there is some link between Iran and cockerels that I’m not aware of… quick check on
Wikipedia and it doesn’t look like that’s the case
63. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
Construction is everywhere in Abu Dhabi – I can’t help but feel like something more could be done with these covering barriers
64. Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
Nowhere do you feel the underlying segregation of society in Abu Dhabi than in the fly-posted advertisements for room mates
where people don’t hold back in letting their preferences known (Indians only, Filipina preferred, non-cooking bachelor etc)
65. Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
Exciting lights display of the Eid festival entices customers into the mall
66. Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
To the uninitiated (or European) eye, these light displays can seem quite vulgar, but by Arabic standards they’re actually quite
tastefully restrained. It’s amazing how small cultural differences manifest themselves
67. Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Local Environment
Palm treed nicely break up the monotony of the mall exterior
68. Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Entrance
There is a small entrance and exit door that funnel customers into this entrance area, the doors badly need to be enlarged to ease
the flow of customers into and out of the store
69. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Entrance
Starbucks is instantly recognisable the world over, and there’s no mistaking it even in the Middle East. Again the use of polished
floors and bright downlights catches my eye
70. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
“Outside” seating is provided in the mall common area… I’m thinking now how much I miss sitting outside to eat and drink in the
hot summers here. There is a huge opportunity to provide the outdoor feel without diners melting in the heat
71. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Starbucks has paid careful attention to match English and Arabic fonts as much as possible, in a similar way to the sweet shop
72. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
I wonder how many different locations these mugs are produced for? These were one of a number of “localisations” that I spotted
in an otherwise generic Starbucks store
73. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Another “localisation” is the food – while the coffee is largely the same the world over, the food changes dramatically from country
to country – I really wish they’d sell the mint, halloumi, and olive panini in the UK
74. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
The greeting experience in Starbucks is also very similar the world over… As are the names I make up for them to write on my
coffee
75. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
The condiments also seem to be the same the world over – this is a shame, as there are probably some local Middle Eastern
additions that would be popular here… cardamom anyone?
76. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
The neighborhood board is a nice touch, and something that could be employed effectively by other companies
77. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
The same temperature as my home air conditioning – is 21.5 degrees the perfect temperature for drinking coffee?
78. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
One thing I noticed everywhere that I wouldn’t normally, was fire extinguishers – they’re everywhere, which is quite comforting
should I ever need one. It’s amazing how well they blend into the background despite the bright colours
79. Coffee Shop, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Familiar logo, with no translation into Arabic
80. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Entrance
First store so far to make use of the Halloween theme to attract visitors, but more interesting is the trolley being pushed into the
store cupboard. Again I’m amazed by the scale of logistics in stores that must be hidden from us in plain view
81. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Entrance
Interesting use of a pop-up store as a coffee shop – it almost seems too nice not to have a permanent store
82. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Period style railings contrast with the bland mall interior, and draw your attention to the coffee shop
83. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
The cover on that table looks removable or easy to wipe down
84. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
It always amazes me how some cultural references are cross all geographical boundaries, I’m now adding Scream to a list that
includes Simpsons and FRIENDS
85. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Great display of a low value food item (cupcakes) to enhance their perceived value – as ever, “less is more exclusive”
86. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Wonderful cupcakes are very different to normal varieties, and attract customers through their uniqueness. As with the sweet shop
the colours are very varied
87. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Nice selection of free reading material, something that Startbucks is lacking
88. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Interesting box displays, but more could be made of the fact that takeaway options are available
89. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Great subtle use of Halloween themes
90. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Staff here were very engaging, and seemed happy. Interestingly in the most enticing, well presented stores (this and the Persian
sweet shop) the staff seemed happiest. Perhaps an extension of “Broken Window Theory”, or maybe just good management
91. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Halloween theme must be very exciting for kids, but is that the target customer base for this store?
92. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Laptop for managing the store, blends into the surroundings well and wouldn’t normally be noticed
93. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Friendly notices with positive messages always seem so much more effective than aggressive threats
94. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
The irony of the “keep out” message at the entrance to the shop is probably lost on most visitors
95. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Stylised graphical representations of cupcakes work better than photos here. What on earth is a “boutique cupcake”, have we all
gone buzzword mad? I’d definitely be the sucker who’d go for luxury though!
96. Cafe, Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Interior
The crow is a fantastic addition
97. Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Valley parking for malls is an innovation that might work in Europe
98. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Bright, buzzy exterior with trees and foliage creates a buzz around the restaurant
99. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Varied coloured lighting elements attract people driving by the restaurant
100. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Outdoor seating is basic, but interesting makes use of the marble + bright lights combination. Here is the tissue box mentioned in
the Convenience Store
101. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
I’ve been here many times and never noticed the external electricity sockets before. I wonder what they plug into these?
102. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Once again, a number of lights are not functioning on the exterior of the store… perhaps I’m onto something with these exterior
store maintenance contracts?
103. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Lots of real plants improves the privacy of the restaurant, and makes it feel more glamorous than sitting on a dirty street pavement
104. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Outdoor waiter station has everything to hand, including more music, cutlery, and MORE tissues!
105. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
A glimpse into the upstairs kitchen shows just how many vegetables are used in Lebanese cooking – I wonder where all these
come from in the region? Oman? Saudi Arabia?
106. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Interesting mix of indoor plants and Arabic bling chandeliers. Somehow, here, it just works and fits the location
107. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Ingenious replacement for a knife holder just outside the kitchen, but I do hope that knife won’t be used for cutting food
108. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Bin bag hung over the balcony is very conspicuous, but I doubt I’d normally have noticed this
109. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Trapdoor into the toilets, but leading to where? I guess storage space, but surely there’s a better way to store cleaning products?
111. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
One of the ways that globalisation seems to make the world smaller is in how many infrastructure products find their way across
the world. These are the same taps that I had in my school bathrooms…
112. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
…This latch was used in an old house I used to live in…
113. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
…And drunk, fighting octopus seems to find his way everywhere!
114. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
Indoor plants are interesting, but they are also nicely concealing the fire extinguishers wrapped in polythese
115. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
I wonder why it is that they are covered in polythene…
116. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Interior
…Or why there are so many of them? Perhaps there’s a building code that states a minimum number of fire extinguishers per
thousand square foot of space… If that’s the case, it’s a shame it doesn’t stipulate they have to be more spread out
117. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Lebanese food is incredible, and this is exactly how it should be presented
118. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
These terracotta pots are cheap, but make all the difference to the presentation
119.
120. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
The waiters here are artists – they treat you with a little disdain when you arrive, nudging you to “win them over”, becoming
increasingly friendly throughout the meal. The complimentary coffee with the bill considerably increases their tip earnings
122. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi – Exterior
Car delivery (from 10m away) is a very Arabic innovation… I hadn’t noticed how the waiters kept track of all the customers until
today when my friend asked why they were writing down the car numberplates
123. Lebanese Restaurant, Abu Dhabi
Al Wahda Mall Stores, Abu Dhabi
Coffee Shop, Abu Dhabi
Persian Sweet Shop, Abu Dhabi
Convenience Store, Abu Dhabi
Luxury Car Showroom, Abu Dhabi
All photos
Copyright Thomas Bell 2012
Contact me@thomasbell.co.uk
Thank you for viewing
Hope you enjoyed the presentation
:-)