Link final LINK January 2019-final | Page 49

Retail shopping mall occupancy stood at 95 per cent. The firm’s retail business generated strong revenue growth and finished the year at Dh28.0 billion, an 8 per cent increase compared to 2017, driven by the addition of new stores. EBITDA increased by 16 per cent to Dh1.4 billion, largely attributable to “cost optimisation initiatives and higher sales in Egypt, Saudi, Kuwait and Kenya,” the company said. Despite experience only modest growth, the company’s real estate business continued to contribute heavily to the company’s overall profitability. Majid Al Futtaim Properties registered a 1 per cent revenue growth in 2018 at Dh4.6 billion. The division’s EBITDA increased by 2 per cent to Dh3.0 billion, contributing almost 65 per cent of overall group EBITDA. Conversely, Majid Al Futtaim hotels experienced a decline in revenue per available room (RevPAR), which the company blamed on current market conditions. It reported an average room occupancy rate of 75 per cent. JANUARY 2019 | 49