What woman doesn’t love shoes?

While always regarded as an “anchor” department in traditional department stores and some shopping centers, no one really capitalized on it dramatically.

That was until Shelfridges London flagship store devoted about one-half a floor to women’s shoes with dramatic feature displays and a full range of brands.

Now, The Dubai Mall (±6,000,000 sq. ft.) has created a new twist on “shoes as an anchor.” Featured in small boutique shops are “branch-shops” of all the brands and designer names elsewhere in this mall. They are all clustered in the mall’s “Level Shoe District.”

This grouping is a mix of formal small spaces, open displays in the mall, and mini designer flagships. Whatever can be thought of the Level Shoe District, it is exceptional. However, drawbacks include some “shops” without staff, others without back-up stock immediately available, and confusion if it is a shop or a display. As well, it is not featured prominently on their website.

One thing that is clearly proven in retail—classification dominance of a particular category is a powerful shopper draw. With this lineup (below), The Mall of Dubai’s Level Shoe District is unique!

Bally	Berluti	Car Shoe
Chanel	Christian Louboutin	Diesel
Dior	Dolce & Gabbana	Fendi
Fred Perry	Geox	Giuseppe Zanotti
Gucci	Harry’s of London	Kate Spade
Lacoste	Le Coq Sportif	Louis Vuitton
Marc by Marc Jacobs	Miu Miu	Onitsuka Tiger
Paul Smith	Pierre Corthay	Prada
Private Collection	Puma	Ralph Lauren
Repetto	Roger Vivier	Saint Laurent Paris
Sergio Rossi	Stuart Weitzman	Tods
Tory Burch	Valentino	Vogue Café
Sole Lounge by Margaret Dabbs	Concept Store by The Zoo	The Cobbler