Sharjah’s Safeer Mall permanently closes after 19 years, but why?
New management plans to rename the iconic shopping destination
SHARJAH: The iconic Safeer Mall has officially closed its doors, marking the end of a 19-year journey that saw the shopping centre become a prominent fixture in Sharjah’s retail scene.
It has been confirmed that the mall's lease with the Safeer Group ended earlier this year, and the property has now been acquired by a new management.
The final chapter for the mall began on December 31, 2024, when the building was handed back to its landlord, said Om Prakash, Marketing Manager at Safeer Group. “We had taken the building on lease 19 years ago and officially handed it back to the landlord on January 31,” he told Gulf News.
Most tenants had exited the premises by then, although a handful of shops remain in operation amid ongoing negotiations with the new owners.
Change of hands
Western International Group, a conglomerate known for brands such as Geepas, Royalford, Nesto, and the emerging Mark and Save, is now the new owner of the property. Unlike the Safeer Group, which operated the mall on lease, the new owners have confirmed a full acquisition. “The mall management is changing. We have taken over the mall at present,” Nawas Basheer KP, Director of Western International Group, told Gulf News.
A rebranding is in progress, with a new name for the mall yet to be announced. Basheer stated that renovation plans are underway, and consultants are being brought in to determine the best approach. “We’re working closely with tenants to find solutions during this transition phase,” he added, noting that the Mark and Save brand will take over the hypermarket space inside the mall.
Sharjah’s Safeer Mall
The mall, located on Al Khan Road, first opened in 2005 and quickly gained popularity for its accessible prices and wide range of offerings. From groceries and fashion outlets to family-friendly events and entertainment, it became a regular stop for residents of Sharjah. But recent years saw a steady decline in footfall.
Post-pandemic shifts in shopping habits, combined with increased traffic congestion and the introduction of new toll systems, severely impacted visitor numbers. “It wasn’t financially viable for us to stay there anymore,” admitted Prakash. At its peak, the mall housed retailers like Babyshop, Splash, Shoe Express, and outlets under the Landmark Group. Today, more than 60 percent of the space lies vacant.
Despite the closure of its Sharjah branch, the Safeer Group remains active in the UAE. The company continues to operate multiple supermarkets, hypermarkets, and other retail ventures, including Safeer Mall Ajman and a newly launched Safeer Market in Dubai.
Tenants in limbo
As the new management prepares to revitalise the mall, a wave of uncertainty surrounds the few remaining shop owners. Khaleej Times reported that several tenants received eviction notices requesting they vacate within 15 days – despite some having renewed their leases directly with Sharjah Municipality after Safeer Group's exit.
Mukesh Chaturbhuj, who operates Leena Mukesh Trading, has been running his clothing store in the mall for the past two years. “After Safeer Group handed over the mall, I renewed my contract with Sharjah Municipality and continued paying rent,” he said, displaying tenancy documents and receipts.
Sufiya Noufal, a 29-year-old bakery owner, echoed similar sentiments. Her food court-based shop, which specialises in custom cakes for events, remains open, supported by a steady stream of online orders. “Our rent is paid to the municipality, not Safeer,” she said.
Several other tenants, including eateries like Raju Omlet, Hometown Restaurant, and fashion outlets like Golden Tuxedo and Amani, are also in limbo. While some are planning to seek legal advice, others hope for a resolution as discussions with the new owners continue.
Until a clear roadmap is announced, Safeer Mall stands in quiet transition – its familiar blue signage gone, but the building still echoing the footsteps of nearly two decades of shoppers.