Category: Gossip & Rumors

I received information this morning that the Customs Union could go on a general strike anytime between now and March 15th. If you remember last year, customs went on strike and it was chaos since no shipments were being cleared. After the government promised future reforms and concessions the Customs Union ended their strike but supposedly this time around the union is making it clear that only immediate action will end their strike.

Looks like they’ve timed their strike with the release of the iPad 3 which SUCKS! I really hope the strike doesn’t end up happening.

Around a year ago I posted that I had heard Alshaya was bringing Tesco to Kuwait and since then things have gone pretty mute. At one point I was even told Tesco and Sultan had also formed a partnership where Sultan would carry Tesco products but nothing has come out of that as well.

But according to a different source of mine, Alshaya are still bringing Tesco to Kuwait. I couldn’t get any more information but the previous rumor I heard was that Tesco would replace Carrefour at The Avenues. We’ll have to wait and see.

Below is a list of brands I am aware of that Alshaya are bringing to Kuwait:

– IHOP (International House of Pancakes)
– The Hummingbird Bakery
– Pei Wei Asian Diner
– The Cheesecake Factory
– Texas Roadhouse
– Dolce & Gabbana
– Jo Malone
– Teavana
– Harvey Nichols
– Williams Sonoma
– West Elm
– Tesco

Oddly the one I’m looking forward to the most is Williams Sonoma since it’s really difficult finding high end kitchenware in Kuwait.

Thanks Paul

One of the cameras I have my eyes on is the new Nikon D800. It just got announced earlier in the month and is slated to hit the shelves around the world in March. According to the local Nikon dealer they’re expecting to get the camera (if everything goes according to plan) by mid March. I’m going to upgrade my D90 to the D800 as soon as it’s released so can’t wait.

That’s just so random. [YouTube]

I’ve managed to get more information regarding the 2012 Concours d’Elegance that is going to be held in Kuwait next week.

– Leonardo Fioravanti the designer behind some legendary Ferrari’s including the 365 GTB 4 “Daytona”, 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer, the 308 GTB and GTS as well as the 288 GTO and the F40 will be giving a lecture at the Concours. His lecture will be on the Ferrari F40 since it’s the F40’s 25th anniversary. The F40 is the last Ferrari he designed and a car many believe to be one of the greatest super cars ever made. Obviously there will also be a Ferrari F40 on display.

– The F40’s nemesis, the Porsche 959 will also be on display at the Concours.

– The first day of the event they’ll be displaying old government vehicles like the old police cars and ambulances etc..

– The last day of the Concours on the occasion of Enzo Ferrari’s birthday, over 150 Ferrari’s will get together at Marina Crescent and then drive towards the Kuwait Towers.

– The Alfa Romeo Bat 11 will be on display.

– The first production model of the new Aston Martin Zagato will be launched worldwide at the Concours. In addition there will be an original 1960’s Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato on display right next to it.

This is basically all I have for now. For more information on this years Concours check out my previous post [Here]

According to the Millions of Milkshakes website, they’ll be opening in Kuwait and Qatar this year and Kim Kardashian will be at the launch. What does that mean? Check below!

According to the blog 965Malls, the international french fries chain New York Fries is opening up at Marina Mall. New York Fries shouldn’t be confused with the already open New York Friez who tried to convince me poutine was made with chili and cheese and not gravy and cheese. Hopefully these guys will be able to do it right.

I just found out from my Alshaya contact that Potbelly in the Avenues will be opening up next week on January 10th. It would be the first Potbelly branch to open up in Kuwait.

I hope so. [Link]

Update: Wow never mind, turns out this is actually their Bida’a branch.

According to Blushbery, the new Porsche Design Blackberry was available in Sharq (phone street) and got sold for KD900. That’s double the retail price. If the guy actually bought an airlines ticket, flew to London, stayed a night, bought it from Harrods and then flown back he would have saved around KD300! [Link]

I’m a huge fan of BoConcept so I found this news very disappointing. It seems they weren’t doing so well in Kuwait and so they’ve decided to close down their store and leave Kuwait by February. They were my favorite furniture store and it sucks that they’re closing.

Thanks Patrick

Decathlon, the giant French sporting good chain is coming to Kuwait and opening up in place of Virgin Megastore at Marina Mall.

Chili’s Too (the mini version of the Chili’s restaurant) is opening in Salhiya right behind Fauchon. They have another branch further down the street at Discovery Mall so I wonder if that one will close once this one opens up.

Thanks Patrick

Just heard that Virgin Megastore is going to be closing down by end of January. I’m not sure if they’re reopening somewhere else but their closure definitely isn’t a surprise. Their book collection is small, their music section is smaller and their movie section practically non existent. Still, it would be sad to see it go.

Thanks EEK! | Photo by Bashar

Update: Projekt Cyan just got me more information regarding the closure of Virgin. Firstly they won’t be relocating, they’re shutting down their Kuwait operation for good. Secondly, they’re also closing down the Moa, Pre Natal and Piazza Itala stores, all of which are located adjacent to Virgin. They’re instead going to group the 4 store spaces together and open up Decathlon which is a huge French sports equipment store.

There’s a comedy club opening soon in Kuwait (the first?) and it will be called “Live”. The comedy club will be located in the basement of Discovery Mall and will seat approximately 200 people. It was originally scheduled to open up before the end of the year but due to some delays the launch will now most likely be in January. They’ve already got a big name Arab American comedian booked for their launch so should be interesting to see. I’ll post more details once I get them.