Shopping in Dubai is not just shopping, but real tours. Millions of tourists come here every year to learn new trends, see the latest fashion trends and buy gold jewelry and accessories for outfits.
UAE Fashion Industry
Not only hiking is popular here, but also shopping. Skyscrapers are being built in Dubai, each of which has several floors with clothing boutiques. The most expensive branded items can be bought here almost for free. In Dubai, the largest city in the Emirates, there is a quality diverse market:
- small brand stores;
- modern fashion boutiques;
- fashion houses with new collections;
- outlets and low end shops.
Moreover, every year there is a shopping festival in Dubai. 2019 promises a variety of delights from fashion designers. You can find absolutely everything, from souvenirs to shoes from the best designers in the world.
Once upon a time there were only huts and camels in the place of the desert. Today, the country has completely transformed and is almost no different from other European cities. Foreignerscome here for:
- perfume;
- souvenirs;
- fashion clothes and shoes;
- genuine leather bags;
- cosmetics;
- art collections;
- jewellery;
- jewellery;
- cars.
The best shopping in Dubai happens during the high season when every store offers huge discounts, up to almost 90% off the price.
Taxes on purchased products
Everyone knows that there is no tax on purchases made here. Any product is tax-free. The duty-free zone covers the entire city and operates throughout the year. Foreign products are subject to excise registration and amount to 4%. There is also the possibility of obtaining a value added tax refund. This allows tourists not only to spend money usefully, but also pay less than local residents can afford.
Dear country, high standard of living, opportunities and variety - these factors make the city the most open to getting what you want. Judging by the reviews, shopping in Dubai can be done every day. The main thing is to know what and where to buy.
What to buy in Dubai: great deals
Shopping centers in Dubai offer not only a wide selection of "traditional" goods, but also unusual exclusives. Tourists try to visit the country during the sales period, when expensive branded clothes are several times cheaper. And here are the observations of shoppers who were able to find unusual gizmos for purchase (for memory or withhousehold use):
- lamps and fixtures of various shapes for home and garden;
- hookahs and tobacco;
- souvenirs.
National clothes are also in great demand. Tourists buy it to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the religious life of Muslims, enjoy the time when you can walk around the city in light long dresses and blend in with the locals. Shopping in Dubai is also impossible without carpets. There are factories that produce finished products for sale to direct buyers. Not everyone can afford shawls and scarves made of expensive fabrics, and only we althy tourists can afford hijabs embroidered with gold threads. However, gold is more accessible - it is sold in special stores, jewelry stores.
There is a wide range of classic jewelry made in the national style, as well as for guests from Europe, supporters of the modern art form. You can see oriental culture in them only in jewelry with natural stones. They are distinguished by an unusual shape and composition of a combination of different shades of gold.
When is the best time to go shopping?
Almost all stores in the city provide discounts up to 40% off the average prices set in Russia. The difference is big, and this is without taking into account discounts and sales. Stores work according to a single schedule, starting the working day at 10:00 and ending by 22:00. In the tourist districts, outlets and shopping centers are open until late on Fridays. 24/7 shopping is only available at Dubai Duty Free. Local people go shoppingtwice a month when they get paid. This is the beginning and end of the month.
To get to the sale, you need to wait for the Dubai Festival. It takes place annually throughout the country, like "Black Friday" around the world. It starts at the end of December and lasts until the end of February. During this period, you can stumble upon discounts up to 70%. Guests of the city are waiting not only for good prices, but also various shows, concerts, horse races, bullfights and fireworks over the Persian Gulf.
Interesting! In 2018, the annual festival featured 78 stores, 600 malls and 7,800 attractions that also offered discounted show tickets. Beauty salons, cafes, national parks and night markets did not miss the action. Before the sun rose, tourists could buy anything they wanted at wholesale prices, from books and cosmetics to appliances and electronics.
Winter sale without fur coats and hats
Strange as it may seem, you can't buy furs during the sale period in winter. Here they are sold with discounts only in summer, as in other countries. But you can find a lot of branded clothes in boutiques from Rolex, Coach, Swarovski, Givenchy, Bvlgari, Burberry, Swatch, Hugo Boss and many others.
Millions of tourists come to the free trade country in winter to buy goods that are not subject to import duties. It is only 4%. And the prices for imported goods are even lower than those set by the manufacturer himself. It is noteworthy that it is during the winter period that you can buy equipment almost for nothing. Exactlyin December-January, the country purchases supplies for subsequent sale. And shopping in Dubai in February turns into a grand event when new collections are still sold at wholesale prices without markups.
Spring holiday carousel
Spring starts the sale under the slogan "Summer Surprises". In Dubai, you can meet the yellow spring man Modhesh, whose name translates as "amazing".
Shopping in Dubai in March kicks off with sales on branded merchandise from Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Pierre Cardin, Zara, Waikiki, Victoria's Secret and more. Men can buy wristwatches at a big discount. The Dubai Mall is also launching sales for current clothing collections this season. Designer shoes will be on sale at 70-80% off at Wafi Shopping Mall.
In April, shopping in Dubai is associated with the opening of the fur sales season. Local women are not particularly greedy for this type of clothing, but tourists come at the end of spring just for this. Each shopping center has special studios where women can try on fur coats, walk around in them and show off in front of a mirror. For a mink coat, it is better to go to the centers of Deira Tower, Baniyas Building, Dubai Tower, Landmark Plaza Hotel, Al Futtaim Tower, Sheikh Latif Building. Prices are lower at Hacep Square, but it’s difficult to get a fitting: there are too long queues. But the sellers are ready to give up another 30%from the cost to buyers.
Summer shopping: features of hot discounts
If someone did not have time to visit the winter festival, do not despair. In the summer, from June 22 to July 31, another season of summer gifts is approaching. It is considered a continuation of the spring holiday. In stores, prices are almost halved, and markets and bazaars are ready to give up almost 90% of the previous cost of goods. Cultural events will also be planned for tourists. At the same time, a shopping festival will be held in Abu Dhabi in Sharjah, where you can buy appliances, furniture, new fashion collections and trends of the season. It is believed that the most massive and cheapest shopping festival is held there. In Dubai, prices are slightly higher, but there are more tourists.
Autumn ritual shopping for brave tourists
In autumn, sales begin in markets and bazaars. All tourists who are ready for heated disputes and bidding can get here. Dubai markets differ from other bazaars in terms of strict schedules. They open at 8:00 and close at 19:00 with a mandatory lunch break from 13:00 to 16:00. At the same time, a narrow specialization of the assortment can be traced:
- Colorful markets offer tourists national clothes in a modern way. These are wide dresses and men's suits, but with decorative elements and various fasteners, belts and cuffs.
- Gold jewelry here is not sold by weight, but by beauty. If the tourist liked the pendant, he names the price that is equivalent to his delight. The seller can also evaluate the joy of the buyer and offer a price.
- Deira Market is also popular with locals. It sells sweets, spices, dried fruits and herbs.
- The gold market offers precious stones and rhinestones separately from jewelry.
- The indoor market is full of fabrics that are sold at half the price of the stores. On site, you can sew national clothes according to the client's measurements.
- Murdish bazaar will appeal to men. Here you can find spare parts for almost all popular car brands. There are also tables with mangoes, raisins, sweets, shoes.
- The Souk-Karama market in the Al-Karama area is remembered for its colorful assortment of toys. Women will also be able to view homemade bags and haberdashery options.
- Fresh vegetables can only be bought at the Al-Manara food market.
Also, at the exits of each bazaar, there are sellers with fresh fruits and fish. Since the areas are quite poor, food prices are reduced to "kopecks".
Cheapest days to buy clothes
You can buy clothes from the new crazy collection on certain sales days. If a winter or summer promotion starts, then it is better to purchase outfits on the weekend. Here, locals are engaged in family affairs, and on weekday afternoons they do not leave their homes at all. In the summer during the month of Ramadan, while the sun is shining, women and men try not to leave the house so as not to be tempted by goodies. They eat at night, when it is not forbidden by religion. Therefore, often at sunset, residents go out to the city to have a bite to eat. Then it is also possiblebuy cheap tea and coffee, sweets and cafe food.
Great Deals: Sale Festival
The best deals during festivals are those that coincide with certain days, whether it's the opening day of a new boutique or the anniversary of the mall. In addition to the main discounts, the owners add holiday promotions from themselves and allow buyers to win a gift. On Al Faheidi Street, vendors display the most popular shoe models. And on Al-Diyafa you can buy fakes of famous brands, respectively, at the lowest prices.
Every day, competitions are held in the shopping center during the sales period. You can get not only pleasure from participation, but also valuable and memorable prizes. Recommended visit:
- "Dubai Mall";
- duty free in Dubai;
- "Ibn Batutta Mall";
- Mall of the Emirates;
- Burdjuman Shopping Center
Every Monday, fashion boutiques put on sale hours in the morning, slashing prices by 70%.
Tips for tourists and shoppers
Cheap shopping in Dubai follows its own local rules. Tourists are advised to first visit outlets outside the city to compare prices in shopping centers. Sellers like to talk about their products as the highest quality and affordable. Knowing the truth, having studied the supply market, you can really buy the right things. It is also advisable to bring friends and family members with you. Large companies are liked by local sellers who are willing to underprice.
