Shopping in Dubai is not just shopping trips, but real tour trips. Millions of tourists annually come here to learn new trends, see the latest fashion trends and purchase gold jewelry and accessories for outfits.
UAE fashion industry
Not only hiking, but also shopping are popular here. 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 nothing. Dubai, the largest city of the Emirates, has a high-quality diverse market:
- small brand stores;
- boutiques of modern fashion;
- fashion houses with new collections;
- Outlets and shops of a low price category.
Moreover, every year there is a shopping festival in Dubai. 2019 promises a variety of delicacies from fashion designers. You can find absolutely everything from souvenirs to the shoes of the best designers in the world.
Once upon a time there were only huts and camels in the desert. Today, the country has completely transformed and is almost no different from other European cities. Foreigners come here for:
- perfumery;
- souvenirs;
- fashionable clothes and shoes;
- bags made of genuine leather;
- cosmetics;
- art collections;
- jewels;
- jewelry;
- cars.
The best shopping in Dubai is obtained at the height of the season, when each store offers huge discounts, up to almost 90% of the cost.
Product Taxes
Everyone knows that there is no tax on purchases made here. Any products are not subject to duty. The duty-free zone covers the entire city and is valid throughout the year. Foreign products are subject to excise registration and is 4%. There is also the option to receive a value added tax refund. This allows tourists not only to spend profitably, but also to pay less than the locals can afford.
An expensive country, a high standard of living, opportunities and assortment - these factors make the city the most open for getting what you want. Judging by the reviews, shopping in Dubai can be carried out 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" products, but also an unusual exclusive. Tourists try to visit the country during the sales period, when expensive branded clothing is many times cheaper. And here are the observations of shoppers who were able to find unusual gizmos for purchase (as a souvenir or with use in everyday life):
- lamps and fixtures of various shapes for home and garden;
- hookahs and tobacco;
- souvenir products.
National clothing is 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 merge with the locals. Shopping in Dubai is also not possible without carpet products. Here are the factories that produce finished products for sale to the direct buyer. Shawls and scarves from expensive fabrics can not afford all, and hijabs embroidered with golden threads are only wealthy tourists. However, gold is more affordable - 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 the eastern culture in them only in jewelry with natural stones. They differ in an unusual form and composition of a combination of different shades of gold.
When is the best time to go shopping?
Almost all the city’s shops offer discounts up to 40% of the average prices set in Russia. The difference is big, and this is not taking into account discounts and sales. Shops operate on a single schedule, starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. Outlets and shopping centers are open late in the tourist districts. 24-hour shopping is only available at Dubai Duty Free. Locals go shopping twice a month when they get paid. This is the beginning and end of the month.
To get it on 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 pleasant prices, but also for various shows, concerts, horse races, bullfights and fireworks over the Persian Gulf.
Interesting! In 2018, 78 stores, 600 shopping centers and 7,800 attractions, which also offered tickets for discounted shows, took part in the annual festival. Do not miss the action and beauty salons, cafes, national parks and night markets. Until the sun rose, tourists could buy at the wholesale price everything they wanted, from books and cosmetics, to appliances and electronics.
Winter sale without fur coats and hats
Oddly enough, but in winter during the sale period you can not buy fur products. Here they are sold at discounts only in the summer, as in other countries. But you can find a lot of crazy clothes in boutiques from Rolex, Coach, Swarovski, Givenchy, Bvlgari, Burberry, Swatch, Hugo Boss and many others.
Millions of tourists come in the winter to a free trade country to buy goods that are not subject to import duties. It is only 4%. And the prices of imported goods are even lower than those set by the manufacturer. It is noteworthy that it is in the winter that you can purchase equipment almost for nothing. It is in December-January that the country purchases supplies for subsequent implementation. And shopping in Dubai in February turns into a grand event when new collections are still sold at wholesale prices without extra charges.
Spring Holidays Carousel
In spring, the sale starts under the slogan "Summer surprises." In Dubai, you can meet the yellow spring man Modhes, whose name translates as "amazing."
Shopping in Dubai in March begins with the sale of branded goods Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Pierre Cardin, Zara, Waikiki, Victoria's Secret and others. Women will find interesting offers from world famous brands of lingerie, cosmetics and perfumes. Men can buy watches at a great discount. In the Mall Dubai Mall, sales are also starting on current clothing collections this season. Designer shoes will be sold at a 70-80% discount at Wafi Shopping Mall.
In April, shopping in Dubai is associated with the opening of the fur sale season. Local women are not particularly susceptible to this type of clothing, but tourists come in late spring for this very reason. Each shopping center has special studios where women can try on fur coats, take a walk 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. At Hacep Square, prices are lower, but it’s difficult to get into the fitting: lines are too long. But sellers are ready to concede another 30% of the cost to buyers.
Summer shopping: features of hot discounts
If someone did not have time to attend the winter festival, do not despair. In the summer, from June 22 to July 31, the next season of summer gifts is suitable. It is considered a continuation of the spring holiday. In stores, prices are almost halved, and markets and bazaars are ready to yield almost 90% of the previous value of goods. Religious 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 season trends. It is believed that the most popular and cheapest shopping festival is hosted there. In Dubai, prices are slightly higher, but there are more tourists.
Autumn ritual shopping for courageous tourists
In autumn, sales begin at markets and bazaars. All tourists who are ready for heated debate and bidding can get here. From other bazaars, Dubai markets have a strict schedule. 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 is sold here not by weight, but by beauty. If a tourist liked the pendant, he calls the price that is equivalent to his delight. The seller can also appreciate the joy of the buyer and offer a price.
- The Deira market is also popular among locals. It sells sweets, spices, dried fruits and herbs.
- The gold market offers jewels and rhinestones separately from jewelry.
- The covered market is replete with fabrics that are sold at a price half that of stores. On site, you can sew national clothes according to customer measurements.
- Murdish Bazaar will appeal to men. Here you can find spare parts for almost all popular brands of cars. There are also tables with mango, raisins, sweets, shoes.
- Souk-Karama Market in Al-Karama is remembered for its colorful assortment of toys. Women will also be able to see options for homemade bags and haberdashery.
- Fresh vegetables can only be bought at the Al Manara grocery market.
Also at the exits of each bazaar are sellers with fresh fruits and fish. Since the areas are quite poor, food prices are reduced to "cents".
Cheapest days to buy clothes
You can buy clothes from the new delusional collection on certain sales days. If a winter or summer promotion starts, it is better to purchase outfits at the weekend. Here, local residents are engaged in family affairs, and on weekdays after lunch they do not leave their homes at all. In the summer on the days of 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 the goodies. They eat at night when it is not forbidden by religion. Therefore, often at sunset, residents go out to the city for a snack. Then you can buy cheap tea and coffee, sweets and food in a cafe.
Great offers: festival of sales
The most advantageous offers during the festivals are those that are dedicated to certain days, whether it is the opening day of a new boutique or the anniversary of the shopping center. In addition to basic discounts, owners add holiday promotions and allow customers to win a gift. Merchants display the most popular shoe models on Al Fahadi Street. And on Al-Dyaf, you can buy fakes of famous brands, respectively, at the lowest prices.
Every day in the shopping center during the sales period contests are held. You can get not only the pleasure of participating, but also valuable and memorable prizes. Recommended visit:
- Dubai Mall
- duty free in Dubai;
- Ibn Trampoline Mall;
- Mall of the Emirates;
- Burjuman shopping center
Every Monday, fashion boutiques organize sales hours in the morning, reducing price tags by 70%.
Tips for tourists and shoppers
Cheap shopping in Dubai takes place according to your 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 most affordable. Knowing the truth, having studied the market offers, you can really buy the right things. It is also advisable to bring friends and family members with you. Large companies like local sellers who are willingly inferior in price.