Deal close, local media report
Harrods is considering opening a store in Dubai, according to reports from the region, and may be on the verge of signing a deal.

A report in Gulf News claimed that a deal by the retailer is '99 per cent sealed with only small details to clarify'. It added that it was unclear whether this would be a full-line department store or whether the retailer would opt for a variation on its upscale 102 convenience format.

However, a Harrods spokesman dismissed the news as speculation and said: 'Dubai is one of a handful of international opportunities that we are evaluating and we wouldn't be anywhere near deciding on a particular format.'

If a shop were to open, Harrods would be following in the footsteps of its competitor Harvey Nichols, which opened a store in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates earlier this year following a Dh100 million (£14.5 million) joint venture with the Al Tayer Group.