Successful retail destinations are increasingly built around experiences that connect businesses, customers and communitiesโnot simply shopping. Al Mouj Muscat has earned Silver at the 2026 MECSR MENA Shopping Centre & Retailer Awards for THE MARKET, its seasonal outdoor retail and entrepreneurship initiative at Al Mouj Walk. Recognised in the Marketing Excellence Award for Community Engagement & Impact category, THE MARKET operated as a weekly Saturday marketplace from November 2025 to February 2026, accommodating up to 75 stalls and recording 132,784 visits during its first season. The initiative also delivered measurable commercial results, including a 33% year-on-year increase in Saturday visits and 10% growth in tenant sales. By giving local SMEs and emerging brands access to customers across food, fashion, art, beauty and wellness, THE MARKET demonstrates how community-focused retail programming can support entrepreneurship, strengthen tenant performance and create a more vibrant waterfront destination. Al Mouj Muscat is now preparing for the next season, with new offerings planned to expand opportunities for local businesses.
