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One of Dubai’s greatest attractions is its superb shopping. 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. |
The city draws large numbers of ‘shopping tourists’ from countries within the region and from as far 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. In addition to the souk districts and shopping malls listed below, there are many top-class department stores and boutiques throughout the city.
Shopping Malls in Dubai
Attractive modern shopping plazas are conveniently located throughout the city, housing a wide range of shops, boutiques, supermarkets, restaurants and fast-food outlets. These malls also have a harmonious blend of enclosed and exciting streetscapes, the best of entertainment, food, upscale residences and state of the art office space. In terms of design they have the most modern architecture with traditional icons.
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All the stores in these malls offer a unique combination of traditional and modern merchandise with retailers ranging from BHS, Alfred Dunhill, McDonalds, Nike, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins and Giordano to its extensive collection of middle eastern textile shops, Perfumeries and Jewellers. |
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These stores are evolving around fashion (ladies, men, children), ready to wear, fashion accessories, jewellery, watches, leather products, services (money exchange, pharmacy, beauty salons, hair dressing salons, mobile phones shop), fashion accessories, entertainment (music store), optics, restaurants, coffee shop and food court. Parking facilities in front of the malls and basement are one of the fantastic facilities that these malls provide.
Deira malls
Leading malls in Deira district include Deira City Centre, Al Mulla Plaza, the Inter-Continental Plaza, Abu Hail Shopping Centre, The Galleria, Al Ghurair Centre, Al Warba Centre, Al Manal Centre, Al Bustan Centre, Al Futtaim Centre, The Dana Centre, The Center and Hamarain Centre.
Dubai malls
On the Dubai side of the Creek the Wafi, BurJuman Centre, Lamcy Plaza, Al Dhiyafa Centre, Karama Centre, Al Rais Shopping Mall, Dune Centre, Al Hana Centre, Al Khaleej Centre and Holiday Centre are among the largest complexes.
Jumeirah malls
The Jumeirah district has Magrudy’s Shopping Mall, Markaz Al Jumeirah, Jumaira Plaza, The Beach Centre and Palm Strip.
Gold Souqs
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.
Other Shopping Spots
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.
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 vivi
