Abu Dhabi’s New Design Landmark Arrives
Abu Dhabi has taken a bold step up the lifestyle-retail ladder with the grand opening of two flagship stores from US-based home-furnishing giants Crate&Barrel and CB2. Co-located at Marina Mall and occupying over 2,200 sqm, this marks the UAE’s first-ever dual‑brand concept from the celebrated duo. It’s more than a retail debut—it’s a statement of intent in high-design and aspirational living.
Distinct Styles, Unified Vision
Side by side, the two stores embody complementary yet distinct personalities:
- Crate&Barrel channels modern classics through an understated elegance—clean lines, timeless functionality.
- CB2 punches with edgy, design-forward flair—bold silhouettes and boundary-pushing aesthetics.
Together, they push the narrative of “global design made locally accessible”—a vision tailored for Abu Dhabi’s increasingly design-savvy consumers.
Curated Collections & Designer Collaborations
Crate&Barrel brings to the UAE exclusive lines in collaboration with top interior designers such as Jake Arnold, Leanne Ford, and Athena Calderone. From kitchenware to sophisticated décor and furniture, every piece blends form and function to enhance daily life.
Meanwhile, CB2 presents a daring spectrum—featuring iconic reissues from Gianfranco Frattini and Paul McCobb alongside fresh seasonal creations by Ross Cassidy and Kara Mann. The mix is a tribute to design heritage and contemporary ingenuity.
The Design Desk: Consultative by Design
Beyond shopping, these flagships double as design studios—offering The Design Desk’s complimentary services. Whether in-person or virtual, customers can enjoy personalised space planning, one-on-one consultations, and 3D visualisation. Far from transactional, these stores aim to forge long-term design partnerships with clients.
Hospitality Meets Retail at Susan’s Baking Co.
Crate&Barrel’s in-store café, Susan’s Baking Co., softens the shopping atmosphere with hospitality, encouraging leisurely exploration. Satisfyingly casual yet stylish, the café transforms the store into a relaxed design destination rather than a mere shopping stop.
Seamless Omnichannel Experience
Recognising the digitally fluent UAE market, both flagships link with a robust e‑commerce ecosystem offering same-day delivery, in-home assembly, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options. It’s a blend of physical luxury and digital convenience—exactly what today’s consumers expect.
Riding the Wave of High‑Design Retail
This milestone launch arrives at an inflection point in GCC retail. A boom in property development, an influx of expats, and urbanised, luxury‑centred planning—from Abu Dhabi to Riyadh—have reshaped the region’s retail landscape. For Crate&Barrel and CB2, planting a dual-flagship at Marina Mall is more than expansion; it’s a strategic investment in shaping the future of design-led home retail.
What It Means for Consumers & the Market
- Design Elevation: Envoys of global style, the flagships inspire consumers to adopt elevated aesthetics in everyday living.
- Advice, Not Just Inventory: The presence of interior design professionals transforms shopping into a collaborative experience.
- Extended Dwell Time: The café and hospitality-centric design foster deeper engagement and longer in-store visits.
- Home-Goods as a Category Leader: This investment signals the growing weight of home and décor in the UAE’s luxury-retail hierarchy.
Backlinks to Their Online Presence
In your story visuals or hyperlinks, be sure to plug the brands:
These links point readers directly to the enhanced Gulf profiles of the twin brands.
Final Thoughts
This format-forward launch is more than a retail expansion—it’s an experiential milestone in GCC lifestyle culture. The seamless integration of curated design, services, hospitality, and digital convenience reflects the heightened expectations of UAE consumers today. As Crate&Barrel and CB2 stake their claim, they’re not just opening stores—they’re sculpting the future of home and décor in the region.
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