Auburn Silver
With annual shopping festivals and retail fairs Dubai is a Mecca for shopaholics the world over. Littered with plush malls and luxurious boutiques the best reasons to shop in Dubai are as follows.
Although Dubai's sky-piercing malls dominate its retail landscape one of the best reasons to head down to Dubai for retail therapy remains its eclectic collection of souqs. As an integral part of the Dubai retail experiences an evening spent scouring through treasures in these traditional Middle Eastern markets is a must- for souvenir hunters as well as serious shoppers. Littered with hundreds of wooden stalls these classic bazaars offer shoppers a slice of life in the Emirati nation with aromatic spices and clothing items reigning supreme. The Souq Madinat Jumeirah is a key highlight as this modern take on a traditional bazaar retails everything from fashionable clothing and accessories to jewellery and handicrafts.
Drawing thousands of visitors from around the world each year the Dubai Shopping Festival or DSS as its commonly known is a one of a kind retail extravaganza that must be seen to be believed. Conducted during the months of January and February each year the event converts all of Dubai in to one mega retail space with massive discounts, slashed prices and unbelievable promotions taking place in nearly all of its shopping venues. Sales are the buzzwords of the season while crazy prizes and other deals also take precedence during this time of year when fireworks displays and street fairs are a nightly occurrence. A cultural and commercial mêlée like no other visitors would be wise to book accommodation in Abu Dhabi villas such as the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort well in advance as the peak holiday season also falls within this period.
Tipped to be one of the Middle East's most coveted shopping hubs the Mall of Emirates is no ordinary towering edifice dedicated to consumerism. As the biggest mall in all of Dubai the venue is a veritable icon in the city's retail landscape. Offering visitors the best variety of luxury brands and labels the decidedly stylish mallscape houses its very own Harvey Nichols department store as well as its own Virgin Megastore. Littered with designer labels hailing from the fashion capitals of the world the Mall of Emirates also houses a wide range of exclusive boutiques, footwear brands and accessory stores. Home to an Emporio Armani Caffe and Ski Dubai this monolithic shopping centre is also hosts Cineplex, art galleries as well as a state-of-the-art theatres and fantastic restaurants.
As the summer incarnation of the Dubai Shopping Festival which is conducted during the winter months, Summer Surprises brings together all the perks of the Dubai Shopping Festivals to shoppers touring the city in the summer. Typically conducted from the end of June to the last days of August this annual event is ideal for bargain shoppers as hotel room rates also plummet during this time of year. Sales and discounts are omnipresent city-wide as the family-friendly summer retail event kicks off in style.
Another reason to explore Dubai this shopping season is the specialty goods that set the city apart from other Middle Eastern retail heartlands. As an all-encompassing shopper's hub to purchase every variety of Middle Eastern curios available Dubai is the best venue to purchase Iranian carpets, Middle Eastern fabrics and gold. Other hot-pick specialty items include Myrrh, perfumes, spices, Henna and frankincense.
