Dubai: The three-day Super Sale begins today.
More than 400 brands and 1,500 stores at retail bigwigs like Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Deira City Centre, Dubai Festival City and Ibn Battuta Mall are slashing their price tags and bargain hunters are assured they can enjoy up to 90 per cent discount for full three days.
One of the biggest sales events of the year, the shopping bonanza is critical to retailers that want to clear out excess inventory and at the same time, it is a great opportunity for consumers to save money on almost everything, from clothes, shoes bags and jewellery to electronic goods, furniture, homeware and groceries.
Shopping and bargain hunting are a huge part of the culture in UAE. Last year alone, consumers splurged a whopping Dh13 billion on clothes and shoes.
According to a new survey conducted by McKinsey & Company, 53 per cent of consumers in the UAE are on the lookout for sales and promotions. Almost half of them (48 per cent) are paying more attention to prices and about the same number (41 per cent) are waiting for products to go on sale.
Given the number of people who love to shop and score some deals, expect the roads leading to the malls to get jammed today (Thursday) through Saturday, like what happened last year. Retailers like Home Box said they’re looking at a jump of more than 200 per cent in footfall traffic.
A number of stores had already been offering pretty good deals, including 50 per cent off and ‘buy one get one’ on clothing items and home accessories, and sales staff told Gulf News that a lot more deals are going to be unveiled today.
The organisers of the event, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), have already confirmed that more than 400 brands will be offering discounts and among the top labels to watch out for are Alexander McQueen, Giorgi Armani, Diane Von Furstenberg, Roberto Cavalli, Michael Kors, Levi’s, Guess, Victoria’s Secret and Tory Burch, among hundreds of others.
According to a survey conducted by McKinsey & Company, 53 per cent of consumers in the UAE are now on the lookout for sales and promotions. Almost half of them (48 per cent) are paying more attention to prices and about the same number (41 per cent) are waiting for products to go on sale.
But before you head to the shops, here’s everything you need to know, to get the most out of your bargain hunting and score some really good deals:
How big are the discounts
Discounts can vary from one shop to another, but organisers said you are looking at savings of anywhere between 25 per cent and 90 per cent off.
Where to get the discounts
Since the sale is citywide, expect all the major shopping centres to offer great bargains. Just keep the list of participating brands handy and head to any of your favourite mall: Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall, Burjuman, Dubai Festival City, The Outlet Village; City Centres Deira, Mirdif, Me’asiem and Al Shindagha, and My City Centre Al Barsha, among others.
At Mall of the Emirates and its sister malls, bargains can be had at Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, Swarovski, Michael Kors, AllSaints, Giorgio Armani, Molton Brown, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenzo, Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, Roger Vivier, Ted Baker, Marks & Spencer, Harvey Nichols, Diane Von Furstenberg, Armani Exchange, Charlotte Olympia, Isabel Marant, Missoni, Boutique 1, Karen Millen, Etoile La Boutique, Debenhams, Forever 21, Sacoor Brothers, Damas, Shoemart, Max, Charles & Keith, Nine West, Athlete's Co, Skechers, H&M and Centrepoint.
Parents looking to shop for the little ones can find deals at Mothercare, Ralph Lauren Kids, Mamas & Papas, while homeware stores such as Home Centre, Crate and Barrel and Zara Home are also offering "unbeatable" discounts as well as Sharaf DG.
The Outlet Village confirmed that participating stores will include Etoile, The Deal Aigner Calvin Klein, Armani Exchange, Baldinini, Mamas & Papas, Michael Kors, Elisabetta Franchi, Tyche, Marc Cain, Lacoste, Fred Perry, Pinko, Diesel, Armani Outlet, Coach, Priceless, Galeries Lafayette, Charriol, DKNY, Gap, Kiwi Saint-Tropez, Al Jaber Optical and many more.
Confirmed brands that will be offering up to 90 per cent off
Deals at hypermarkets
If you’re not in the mood to hit the clothing stores and other standalone shops, you might want to head straight to the groceries. Hypermarkets are confirmed to offer discounts as well.
At Carrefour, there is an exclusive sale of up to 90 per cent off at Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Al Shindagha and My City Centre Al Barsha.
Also worth checking out are LuLu Centres and Lulu Hypermarkets.
Rewards for shoppers
Shoppers don’t just get to spend less on merchandise, they have the opportunity to win some prizes, including a brand-new luxury car, if they get lucky.
Ibn Battuta Mall is offering one lucky shopper a chance to win a brand-new BMW 3 series throughout the citywide retail extravaganza. Customers who spend Dh 200 in any of the outlets at Ibn Battuta Mall will be entered into a draw to drive away in a brand-new car.
At City Centre Deira, shoppers who spend Dh500 or more at any of the outlets will receive in-store prizes or a gift card worth Dh100. The prizes don’t end there, shoppers who spend Dh1,501 or more daily will receive a gift card worth Dh300 or two VOX cinema tickets.
At Dubai Festival City Mall, the first 100 shoppers to spend Dh1,000 each day will get free movie tickets, an additional 25 per cent discount card to spend at any outlets in the mall and instant cashback.
Organisers’ top picks
In case you find the list of participating brands too long, here’s a quick look at some of the top picks shared by the organisers
HIGH FASHION
Alexander McQueen
Giorgio Armani
Diane Von Furstenberg
Isabelle Marant
Karl Largerfeld
Michael Kors
Moschino
Roberto Cavalli
Stella McCartney
Tory Burch
HIGHSTREET FASHION
Marks & Spencer
C.O.S
Coast
Diesel
Forever 21
Guess
Levi’s
Monsoon
Aldo
Topshop
HOMEWARE
Bloomingdale’s Home
Cottage Chic
Villeroy & Boch
Home Box
Homes R Us
IDdesign
Jashanmal Home
United Furniture
Pottery Barn
Zara Home
KIDS
Adams Kids
Juicy Couture
Babyshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop
Diesel Kids
Earl Learning Centre (ELC)
Kidiliz
Sacoor Kids
Mothercare
Mamas & Papas
BEAUTY
Bloomingdale’s – Beauty
Harvey Nichols – Beauty
Layal Beauty
Neal’s Yard Remedies
MAC
Kiko Milano
Bath & Body Works
GOLD AND JEWELLERY
Damas
Jawhara
Seddiqi & Sons
Aldo Accessories
Accessorize
Koraba Jewellery
ELECTRONICS
Better Life
Sharaf DG
Carrefour
Lulu Hypermarket
