This year's Dubai Shopping Festival to see investment of Dh75m

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) - the region's biggest shopping and entertainment event - begins today with various activities and events taking place in malls and other venues across the emirate.
Running till February 15, this year's edition of the festival will see an investment of Dh75 million, Laila Suhail, chief executive of the festival, told Gulf News.
In 2008, during the 32 days of DSF, consumer expenditure reached Dh10 billion and visitor numbers hit 3.2 million.
"This year's DSF came during a challenging time with the financial crisis, and the conflict in Gaza. DSF is coming in a season where everyone is looking forward and we are trying to maximize its impact for the retail sector," Suhail said.
DSF 2009 is backed by the strong participation of 40 shopping malls and over 6000 retail outlets that are offering discounts on various brands.
The theme for this year's DSF, "Celebrate the Festivities," highlights the event as a period where visitors can enjoy the best of four seasons in a year.
Apart from renowned international entertainment acts and high discounts, shoppers stand the chance to win prizes worth millions of dirhams through raffles of luxury cars and cash.
Signature Events for the opening day of DSF 2009 include the DSF Desert Camp by Watani, Dubai Carnivals, and Carpet Oasis.
The DSF Desert Camp by Watani will be held at Warqa'a 4, while the Dubai Carnivals will feature around 300 performers on January 15 at Al Seef Street. Carpet Oasis, a collection of carpets and rugs from around the world, will begin at the Airport Expo Dubai.
The 32-day long extravaganza will bring a total of 150 events, with new events such as The Chinese Circus, and festivities at new venues such as The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residences and Jumeirah Beach Road.
The offers during this shopping festival, in addition to the retail promotions, include discounted hotel rates of up to 60 per cent.
Also, Emirates airline, a key sponsor, will provide 15 per cent discount on ticket prices.
"All the sectors are working together on this," said Suhail.


Source: Gulf News