Designer labels for less at outlet mall

If you want cut-price bargains without the hassle of haggling, Dubai Outlet Mall is the place to go.

The policy of the mall off the Dubai-Al Ain motorway in Dubailand is that shops must offer discounts of at least 30 per cent.

The stores may not stock the latest fashions, but they offer goods that can be marked down by much more than the required 30 per cent.

Burberry offers handbags from previous seasons priced from Dh1,000 to Dh10,000 - thousands less than a bag designed in 2012. This season's medium-sized, alligator brogue bowling bag, for example, costs nearly Dh90,000.

"If it is just one season old, it is 30 per cent cheaper," said Terence Crasto, a sales associate at the shop. "That goes up to 50 to 70 per cent off, depending on how old it is."

Sunglasses are 50 per cent cheaper, costing from Dh500 to Dh700.

Etoile sells Nina Ricci, Dolce and Gabbana and Valentino handbags at 50 per cent off the retail price.

Tourists with a visitor visa or hotel card can obtain an Outlet Plus Card from the customer service desk for even greater discounts.

"We are giving additional discount to tourists of 5 to 30 per cent," said Fareed Wafi, a customer service assistant.

"We give a list to the tourists of the participating outlets."