Gulf mall operators rein in expansion as retailers reel from COVID-19

DUBAI (Reuters) - Mall operators in the Gulf region are delaying new mega-projects as the coronavirus pandemic and low oil prices upend a retail industry built around huge centres catering to tourists and wealthy locals.Majid Al Futtaim (MAF), the Middle East's biggest mall-operator, told Reuters it had delayed the launch of its fifth and largest centre in Oman, the 145,000 square-metre (1.5 million sq-ft) Mall of Oman, because retailers did not have the cash at hand to fit out stores.In Dubai,..