Dubai Shopping Festival and Partners Collaborate to Give Visitors More Reasons to Celebrate

The continued collaboration between Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and its strategic partners and key sponsors have ensured that visitors to the 23^rd edition of Dubai Shopping Festival get to enjoy a range of extraordinary experiences, that will further enhance the emirate’s position as a leading family tourism destination.

The latest edition of DSF, which commenced on 26 December, runs until 27January. With retail sector entities playing a pivotal role in DSF 2018, a number of events and activations are run under three themed retail segments –Beauty & Perfume, Gold & Jewellery, and Apparel & Fashion. Further, thousands of retail outlets have added to the shopping excitement by offering amazing deals including discounts of between 25% to 75% on a range of merchandise.

Commenting on the long-standing partnership between DFRE and its Strategic Partners and Key Sponors, Ahmed Al Khaja,  Chief Executive Officer, DFRE said: “The Dubai Shopping Festival has seen more than two decades of exciting growth from the time it set a benchmark for the retail sector in the region in 1996 to its current position as a major global attraction. Such a strong achievement would not have been possible without the solid cooperation between government and private sectors.”

 “Year after year, the Dubai Shopping Festival has made a positive impact on different economic sectors in Dubai, and in 2018 we are confident that the flagship festival of Dubai’s annual retail calendar, will help keep up the momentum for retailers, and other business entities in the emirate. We expect to achieve this by offering shoppers an unbeatable combination of unique retail experiences, life-changing daily raffles and world-class entertainment drawn up in collaboration with our key partners, sponsors and supporters.

“With the 23^rd edition of Dubai Shopping Festival well underway, we are truly grateful to our strategic partners and key sponsors for their unwavering commitment to ensure that the latest edition of the festival will also be a huge success,  providing residents and visitors even more reasons to celebrate and be rewarded when they shop in Dubai,” Mr. Al Khaja added.

For the festival’s 23^rd edition, DFRE is supported by strategic partners Emirates, The Dubai Mall, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, AW Rostamani Group, Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1, Dragon Mart 2), Dubai Duty Free, ENOC, Al Zarooni Group (Mercato), Meraas and Etisalat. Additionally, the key sponsors of DSF 2018 are Visa, Emirates NBD and Jumbo Group, and key supporters of DSF are Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group and Dubai Shopping Malls Group.

Emirates

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Centre, said: “It’s great to see the Dubai Shopping Festival in full swing for its 2018 edition and Dubai’s shopping malls and centres are once again buzzing with exciting events, activities and promotions, enticing both residents and travellers who flock here to get the best deals. We know many of the visitors that are travelling with Emirates to Dubai during this period are coming to exclusively take advantage of DSF’s offers or simply enjoy their winter break, and this further establishes Dubai as a centre that caters to a broad range of tastes and activities.”

The Dubai Mall

Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls, said:“Emaar Malls looks forward to another season of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), which continues to flourish year-on-year. As a catalyst for growth driving diverse sectors including hospitality and aviation, DSF spurs tourism and bolsters the robust economic environment of Dubai, led by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. DSF draws visitors from around the world and highlights Dubai on a global stage as a hub for shopping, leisure and entertainment. As part of this season of DSF, Emaar Malls is hosting a range of family-friendly activities across our portfolio of malls that will appeal to families and children, as well as support retailers to offer attractive in-store specials, ensuring that both shoppers and businesses alike benefit from the event. Following its remarkable successes in 2017, DSF will set the tone for another exciting year of leisure and entertainment for Emaar Malls in 2018.”

Majid Al Futtaim Properties

Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director for Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman) said: “Majid Al Futtaim has been a Strategic Partner of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) for over two decades, and each year has delivered unrivalled shopping experiences, dynamic winning opportunities and world-class entertainment for the whole family. The annual festival is a platform for Majid Al Futtaim’s six shopping malls in Dubai to create innovative shopping experiences which exceed our customers’ expectations, while delivering our vision of creating great moments for everyone, everyday. We look forward to another successful DSF at Mall of the Emirates, City Centres Deira, Mirdif, Me’aisem, Al Shindagha and My City Centre Al Barsha as each mall hosts a unique schedule of events and promotions that started with the exclusive 12-hour sale on December 26.”

AW Rostamani Group

Michel Ayat, CEO Arabian Automobiles Company (AAC), flagship company of AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for Nissan, INFINITI and Renault in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, commented: “Arabian Automobiles Company and Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment’s strategic partnership has evolved since its inception over two decades ago. Our combined efforts aim at promoting Dubai as a global tourism destination through our brand-led promotions and campaigns that demonstrate our promise to providing our loyal customers with enhanced offerings and establishing a relationship with first-time buyers.

“We adopt a customer-centric approach across the board with our brands that ensure a tailored approach to promotions to establish savings and additional benefits for the buyer. As we launch into Arabian Automobiles’ 50^th anniversary in 2018, we would like to extend our gratitude to our customers who have shown their love and appreciated our efforts in providing the best-in-class products and services that have helped us grow in strength. We are proud of our long-lasting partnership with DFRE and we invite you to visit our showrooms and experience the Nissan, INFINITI and Renault lineup firsthand”.

Dubai Festival City

Steven Cleaver, Director – Shopping Malls, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, said:“Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the key events in the calendar for Dubai Festival City as we see a marked increase in footfall through the period. In order to positively capture that heightened shopper interest, we are working closely with our retailers to provide engaging activities, events and offers in order to both surprise and delight our visitors.”

Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1, Dragon Mart 2)

Omar Khoory, Managing Director of Nakheel Malls, said: “We look forward to yet another successful partnership with the Dubai Shopping Festival for the 23rd edition of this key retail event. The festival continues to grow as Dubai’s retail sector continues to mature, and DSF 2018 is another opportunity to highlight the unique offerings at Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon Mart during the festival - and beyond.

“DSF marks the start of Dubai’s annual line up of retail festivals, and we look forward to welcoming hundred of thousands of visitors to Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon Mart during this exciting, highly-anticipated event.”

Dubai Duty Free

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Dubai Duty Free, said:“Dubai Duty Free’s continued support to DFRE demonstrated its commitment to playing a significant part in the development of the tourism and retail sectors of Dubai at the start of the year. In turn, DDF also benefits from its many initiatives like DSF as evident by the large number of visitors who shop at Dubai Duty Free in Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport during the event period.”

Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President-Corporate Services, Dubai Duty Free, said: “Dubai Duty Free has a number of initiatives in place to maximize the potentials and opportunities brought about by the impact of the consumers during the Dubai Shopping Festival period. The initiatives are customer friendly and focus on the essentials of understanding the needs and requirements of this popular and longest-running festival of its kind.”