Dubai // Bargain hunters flocked to malls yesterday as shops slashed their prices to mark the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).
Retailers, who are offering discounts of up to 75 per cent, will be hoping that the annual festival brings a timely sales boost, but after a lean 2009 some shoppers may be cautious about splashing out.
However, whether the shoppers were merely window shopping or planning to make purchases, the Mall of the Emirates saw a considerable increase in customer traffic yesterday, according to Leo Manuel, a sales assistant at a kiosk selling watches.
"It is definitely busier than normal," he said. "Lots of people come just for the sales. It is a very important time for the shops, particularly after a difficult period."
Although some shops have been offering western-style January sales in a bid to boost custom, it was clear yesterday that many shoppers had been waiting for DSF before visiting malls.
Omar Chaaloui, 29, from Morocco, said the festival was a highly anticipated event and would see malls bustling again after the global recession had dented consumer confidence.
"I have seen sales of up to 75 per cent off. There was a lot of expectation building up to DSF and I think shops will see the benefits of this."
Traditionally, DSF has been a tourist draw and yesterday the malls welcomed visitors from the Middle East and beyond. Dean Deranies, 20, from Jordan, who attends DSF every year with her friends, said it was not just the bargains but the whole festival experience that made DSF enjoyable. "I've seen a lot of amazing offers. It is a very exciting event."
Some visitors, however, were not so enthusiastic. Elahe Aramesh, 33, from Iran, said DSF had lost some of its appeal because it was now competing with cheaper retail prices in Europe and a general tightening of the purse strings among consumers.
"People expect Dubai prices to be very low but many people, including me, now prefer to shop in Europe. Many people have faced financial difficulties recently and have less disposable income so it follows that they will spend less."
The festival was officially opened yesterday evening with a firework display over the Creek. In addition to bargain hunting, the festival features a programme of entertainment events including music shows funfairs and heritage exhibitions. It ends on February 28.
tbrooks@thenational.ae
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
UAE group fixtures
Sunday Feb 23, 9.30am, v Iran
Monday Feb 25, 1pm, v Kuwait
Tuesday Feb 26, 9.30am, v Saudi
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza, Rohan Mustafa, Alishan Sharafu, Ansh Tandon, Vriitya Aravind, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Basil Hameed, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Ayaz, Zahoor Khan, Chirag Suri, Sultan Ahmed
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)