Gaza Mall

Shopping

Salah a-Din Abu Abdo, chair of the mall's board of directors, promised "attractive and competitive prices" in an effort to replace Gaza's traditional open air markets with a comfortable, air-conditioned shopping experience. His goal is to "develop a marketing and leisure culture" among Gazans.

The mall features a pharmacy, separate prayer rooms for men and women and stores selling shoes, toys, clothing, and office supplies. A supermarket, children's play area, and restaurant are planned but were not operating in time for the grand opening.

According to CBS News, construction materials and concrete were brought in via the Gaza Strip smuggling tunnels.

Business model

The stores are locally owned and the mall is a private venture, but the grand opening was televised and attended by Abu Osama al-Kurd, the Hamas government Minister of Labor. All of the sales clerks are employed directly by the mall, and all of the shops use the same shopping bags imprinted with the mall's logo. 90% of the goods on sale are imported from Israel.

According to The Independent, "There is a widespread assumption in Gaza that Hamas... or at least businessmen close to the Islamic faction, are behind the venture."

According to The Independent, observers believe that Hamas is investing in leisure and retail businesses because these will yield a faster return of cash the organization needs to fund its political and military activities. On 27 August 2010, Al-Arabiya reported that some of the mall's owners are affiliated with Hamas.

References

References

1. [http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3922441,00.html "1st Gaza mall attracts thousands"], Ali Waked, 07.20.10, [[Ynet]].
2. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/as-the-israeli-blockade-eases-gaza-goes-shopping-2035432.html "As the Israeli blockade eases, Gaza goes shopping"], Donald Macintyre, 26 July 2010, The Independent.
3. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israels-gaza-blockade-baffles-both-sides/ "Israel's Gaza Blockade Baffles Both Sides,"] May 28, 2010, CBS News.
4. Hamas denied this and one of the mall's investors, Sarraj Abu Sleem, stated that "The government supports this economic project but the only help it has given us has been to grant us a licence." ''The Independent'' quoted a prominent businessman who believes the mall is one of Hamas’ new business ventures that include the [[Asdar Media Centre]] (a combined livestock farm and film production company), the [[Al-Bustan Resort|Al Bustan Restaurant and Leisure Park]], and the [[Crazy Water Park]] for children. According to ''[[The Guardian]],'' the mall is part of an entertainment "circuit" for wealthy Gazans, which includes seaside cafes, the Crazy Water Park, and the [[Faisal Equestrian Club]].[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/06/gaza-riding-club-faisal "Gaza's elite enjoy riding at Faisal,"] Harriet Sherwood, September 6, 2010, The Guardian.
5. "Al-Arabiya TV Reports on a New Shopping Mall in Gaza".