Mall of the Emirates becomes preferred shopping destination for WeChat Pay users

• - Users can visit cashless and make payments directly through WeChat Pay at the mall
• - Users on the super app to enjoy “Red Packet” monetary gifts all year

Dubai, UAE; 06 February 2019: Mall of the Emirates has introduced WeChat Pay, the integrated payment feature in one of the world’s largest standalone super app WeChat, making it easy and convenient for Chinese visitors to make cashless transactions at the mall. The shopping and leisure destination has also become the first shopping and lifestyle destination in the UAE to own a verified WeChat official account.

WeChat is a multipurpose messaging, social media and mobile payment app by Chinese technology company Tencent, which boasts 1.083 billion monthly active users. As part of its efforts to enhance convenience and elevate the shopping experience for the destination’s growing Chinese visitors, Mall of the Emirates now offers the seamless e-payment facility to customers who use WeChat. The service is made possible in the UAE through Royal Cloud Pay, which provides retailers the ability to accept payments made by mobile devices using WeChat. With key brands at the mall already on board, Mall of the Emirates is working to secure the adoption of WeChat Pay among many more retailers in the coming months.

WeChat is the most popular social networking app among Chinese citizens. Roughly, 83 percent of all smartphone users in China use the app for everything from chatting to making purchases. More than 9 out of 10 Chinese opt for mobile payment over cash, with WeChat Pay being the preferred choice. Mall of the Emirates’ initiative to offer this cashless payment

option supports Dubai’s recent efforts to attract Chinese citizens and make the emirate the preferred destination for Chinese travellers.

“In this age of connectivity, we are continually diversifying our services to make it convenient for our shoppers to access all that we have on offer at the click of a button. To own a verified WeChat official account allows us to be closer to our valued Chinese consumers who use

this social network to get all information,” said Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director for Majid Al Futtaim Properties - Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman).

“We are also very proud to announce our collaboration with Tencent to offer simpler digital payment solutions through WeChat Pay. Having this e-wallet feature at the mall is a significant step in enhancing our Chinese visitors’ experience and create great moments whenever they visit. They can also take advantage of customised services and a wide range of choice, from the best hotels to family leisure options all in one place,” he said.

Ahmad Al Khaja, the CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment said: “Our strategic partnership with prime lifestyle destination, Mall of the Emirates and WeChat Pay will allow us to provide innovative and customised experiences with seamless payment options offered through the integrated social platform.

“Such collaborations are underpinned by our ongoing China Readiness Strategy where we continue to enhance the visitor experience across a number of touchpoints across the emirate. As tourism from China goes from strength to strength, we continue to work with our network of public and private sector stakeholders to further tap into the potential of this market.”

Mall of the Emirates has become the first mall in the country to own an official verified WeChat account. Users who follow the mall on the social network will receive updates on discounts and entertainment, bespoke offers, and access to the store directory and services.

The mall will also run a “Red Packet” rewards programme for users of WeChat Pay. Based on the Chinese tradition of hongbao (monetary gift to loved ones), WeChat users in China will be able to scan Mall of the Emirates’ QR codes throughout the year and receive a coupon which can be redeemed for shopping at any of the stores at the mall.

Additionally, from January 28 until February 28, users can scan a QR code at participating merchant stores to collect coupons. The discount will be automatically used when the user's spending via WeChat Pay meets the threshold.

According to the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, China is now the fourth-most popular country of origin for tourists travelling to Dubai from abroad, representing a compound annual growth rate of 12 per cent in 2018.

Mall of the Emirates’ presence on WeChat through its verified official account follows the lifestyle destination’s other distinct, targeted services, including Mandarin-language store guides, Mandarin-speaking guest services personnel at the customer service desks and a special VIP lounge, which will elevate the shopping and leisure experience for Chinese residents and tourists.