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DUBAI SHOPPING PARADISE : Go Shopping in Dubai

One of Dubai’s greatest visitor attractions is its superb shopping. The city draws large numbers of ‘ shopping tourists’ from countries within the region and from as far afield as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

As an open port with low import duties, Dubai’s retail prices are reasonable and the variety of products available is virtually unrivalled.

Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Dubai than in the countries of their origin.

Whatever the visitor’s tastes — be it couture from Paris or Milan, hi-tech electronics from Japan, or a piece of silver Bedouin jewellery — he or she will find it at the right price in Dubai.

In addition to the souk districts and shopping malls listed below, there are many top-class department stores and boutiques throughout the city.

Souks

Foodstuffs: These range from the traditional narrow streets of the spice souk just a stone’s throw from the Creek, to the modern fish souk with the many varieties caught in Gulf waters, and the fruit and vegetable souk with its bustle and vivid colours.

Gold: Dubai’s most famous market of all is the gold souk, where narrow streets are lined with shop windows glinting with bracelets, necklaces and earrings in 18, 21 and 22 carat gold.

Bars of 24 carat in any form and weight, and bullion coins in 22 and 24 carat are also available.

Prices are very reasonable and largely determined by weight, rather than design and craftsmanship.

Carpets: In Deira Tower’s shopping mall, carpet traders from countries across the Gulf — Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan — have established a carpet souk where prices in the 40 shops range from a few hundred dirhams to many thousands.

Consumer goods: In Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi Street is noted for its electronic goods shops while nearby Cosmos Lane is lined with stores selling the textiles of West and East, from cool printed cottons to exotic brocades.

Further out from the city centre, Karama is Dubai’s bargain basement with an array of busy shops selling toys, household goods, textiles, fashions, accessories and much more.

Malls

The city of Dubai is an open port with low import duties and no taxation, and as such offers unbeatable value to the bargain hunter. Even major brand name products, widely available in the city, are often less expensive in Dubai than in their country of origin. Opening hours vary but shops are generally open from 08.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 21.00. Although most shops are open on Friday evenings they close for prayers between 11.30 and 13.30.
The major shopping areas of the city are Al Faheidi Road, Al Rigga Road, Al Karama, Al Satwa’s Al Dhiyafah Road and Beniyas Square. The modern shopping malls, located throughout the city, contrast with the sights, sounds and smells of the traditional souks.
Bargaining is the norm in the souks and even in shops it is wise to ask for ‘the best price’, particularly if paying by cash.

Al Dhiyafah Road, Al Satwa
A lively, upmarket shopping area lining the street with exclusive fashion boutiques, fabric stores, restaurants and cafés. A good place to buy, or just to stroll and browse.

Al Ghurair Centre
Tel: (+ 9714) 2232333
Dubai’s first shopping mall has hundreds of stores with a wide range of medium to high priced products.
Open 09.00-13.00 and 17.00-22.00

Al Karama Shopping Centre
A popular centre offering unbeatable value. Clothing, accessories, toys and furniture are on offer, alongside fish and vegetable stalls and supermarkets.

Al Khaleej Centre
Tel: (+9714) 3555 550
Located in the heart of Dubai, renowned for its design, prestige and inspiration, guaranteed satisfying shopping and business experience.
Open: 10:00 am - 13:00, 16:00 - 22:00 Daily
14:00pm - 22:00 Fridays

Al Manal Centre
Tel: (+ 9714) 2277701
Jewellery, watches and ladies fashions.
Open 09.30-13.00 and 16.30-21.00

Al Mulla Plaza
Tel: (+ 9714) 2665885
A medium-sized shopping mall with a wide selection of boutiques and shops.
Open 09.30-13.00 and 16.00-22.00
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Al Sabkha Souk
Adjacent to Deira Covered Souk, Al Sabkha Souk is packed with the latest in electronics. Video, audio and TV systems, home appliances and photographic equipment are all available at very competitive prices.

Beach Centre
Tel: (+ 9714) 3449045
Fashion boutiques.
Open 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-21.30

Bur Juman Centre
Tel: (+ 9714) 3520222
One of Bur Dubai’s newer malls, with a large number of outlets, including European and American chain-stores.
Open 09.30-13.00 and 16.30-21.30

The Center
Tel: (+ 9714) 2665756
A compact, American-style neighbourhood shopping mall, situated opposite Al Muraqqabat Interchange and Dubai Cinema, with smart shops, and a wide choice of branded goods.
Open 10.00-13.00 and 17.00-21.00

Deira City Centre
Tel: (9714) 2951010

Deira Covered Souk
In this fascinating maze of alleyways can be found a huge variety of goods, but the Old Souk is visited particularly for its spices.
The narrow lanes of the smells of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts, imported from all over the Middle East. Produce is sold straight out of large open sacks that surround the shopkeepers.

Dubai Old Souk and Al Faheidi Road
The old, narrow alleys of this traditional souk on Dubai side of the Creek are known for their superb textile bargains. Silks, cotton, lace, wool, chiffon and other textiles from all over the world, in a wide variety of designs and textures, are also sold in the stores which line Al Faheidi Road and the surrounding area of Bur Dubai. Prices are very low.

The Galleria
Tel: (+ 9714) 2238200
Up market shops adjoining the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Open 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-20.30

Gold Souk
One of the largest retail gold markets in the world, the Gold Souk sells everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery, as well as pearls and precious stones, at bargain prices. Alleys of small shops are hidden behind the larger street front stores whose windows are tightly packed with gold jewellery from all over the world.

Hamarain Centre
Tel: (+ 9714) 2661164
Deira’s recently opened shopping centre, decorated with fountains and cascading plants, has a food court and very exclusive shopping. Visit for antiques and local handicrafts.
Open 10.00-13.00 and 16.00-22.00
The Holiday Centre Shopping Mall
Tel. No.: 3317755, Fax No.: 3311204
Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, is one of the oldest well known shopping malls in town & is in the same complex adjacent to Crowne Plaza & the Residential Tower. Built on two levels, the Holiday Centre Shopping Mall consists of a selection of exclusive shops & boutiques of various sizes & profiles offering versatility & greater choice.
E-mail address: deltaest@emirates.net.ae

Inter-Continental Plaza
Tel: (+ 9714) 2222691
Exclusive fashions and jewellery.
Open 08.30-13.00 and 16.30-21.00
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Jumbo House
JUMBO's one stop shop, for all major brands in Electronics and Computer Industry near Ramada Round About is a real shopping experience for you. World's leading brands like, SONY, COMPAQ, NEC, CASIO, Electrolux, Brother, Grundig, etc. JUMBO has it's 16 showrooms all over the emirates of UAE.
Tel : (+9714) 523555, 824888.

Jumeira Plaza Mall
Tel: (+ 9714) 3497111
Modern mall with wide range of products.
Open 07.00-23.00

Magrudy Shopping Mall
Tel: (+ 9714) 3444192
International and local shops.
Open Fri-Wed 08-30-13.00 and 16.00-20.00
Thur 16.00-21.00

Markaz Al Jumeira
Tel: (+ 9714) 3494214
International and local shops.
Open 08.00-13.00 and 16.00-21.00

Meat, fish and vegetable market
Visitors to the modern fish souk need to be early risers or night owls to see the fishermen unload their huge variety of fish twice a day and to witness the fierce bargaining which follows.
The colourful and busy modern fruit and vegetable souks continue to attract visitors.

MERCATO – “The Good Life”Jumeirah
Tel: 971 4 3444161
Fax: 971 4 3490066
E-mail: marketing@mercato.com

Opened in October 2002. It reflects the elegance and beauty of Mediterranean art with direct influence of the grand Renaissance architecture. Its imposing colonnades, colourful murals and cobbled floors create a distinctive ‘high street’ ambience. It includes a wide range of well-known stores and boutiques, restaurants, a major supermarket and a 7-screen Cineplex. Several of its stores carry famous international brand names and some have made their debut in Dubai through this mall.

Naif Souk
Fully renovated traditional souk.
TOWN CENTRE – “The Community Mall”- Jumeirah
P.O.Box: 755 Dubai
Tel: 971 4 3440111
Fax: 971 4 3495858
Email – towncjum@emirates.net.ae

Overlooking a stunning view of the Arabian Sea, Town Centre Jumeirah is known for its warm, friendly atmosphere and service with a smile. Essentially a community mall, it offers not only exciting shopping options but also a host of facilities that make life taste better.

Wafi Shopping Mall
Tel: (+ 9714) 3367125
The striking pyramid design of this mall, set in a palm grove near Al Garhoud bridge, is the perfect setting for its wide range of exclusive shops and boutiques.
Open Sat-Wed 09.30-13.00 and 16.30-21.30
Thur 09.30-13.00 and 16.30-22.00
Fri 16.30-22.00

Shopping Hours

Normal Dubai hours are from 9.00am–1.00pm and 4.00–9.00pm or later. Some boutiques in the residential areas do not open until 9.30 or 10.00am. Shopping malls tend to open from 10.00am–10.00pm.

Most supermarkets stay open until late at night seven days a week, while some remain open 24 hours. Shops close for prayers on Fridays from 11.30am–1.30pm. Shopping malls and most shops are open on Friday evenings until late.

Bargaining

Bargaining is part of the fun of shopping in Dubai.

While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets may operate on a fixed-price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as a way of life.

Popular Gifts

The Dubai shopping scene offers something for everyone.

Apart from competitively-priced electronics products, watches, cameras and other international items, popular traditional gifts include:

Arabic coffee pots.
Silver and brass swords and khanjars (Arabic curved daggers).
Prayer beads.
Soapstone figures.
Coasters, letter racks, jewellery boxes, chests etc, decorated with lapis lazuli, turquoise, malachite and other semi-precious stones.
Marble goblets.
Antique silver jewellery.
Brass items.
Silver and wooden miniature dhows.
Persian carpets and cotton dhurries (oblong floor coverings).
Inlaid rosewood and walnut furniture.

Source : www.Dubaitourism.com