Business | Economy
DSF opens registration for retailers wishing to join Shopping Festival
Companies can sign up for the world class event from Sunday until February 5.
- Staff Report
- Published: 22:40 December 20, 2008
Dubai: The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) office has announced the commencement of registration for retail outlets that wish to participate in the upcoming DSF 2009.
The announcement comes amid high anticipation among retailers and shoppers for the best shopping season of the year in the region.
The retail registration will begin on Sunday and will continue until next February 5.
The registration counters located on the ground floor of the Department of econ-omic Development (DED) are open on weekdays from 2:30 to 7:30pm and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.
Retailers can participate in three categories - DSF Sales, DSF Discounts, and DSF Offers, apart from the DSF Raffles segment that is open to outlets owned by a DSF key or support sponsor.
Laila Suhail, chief executive of the DSF office, said that this year's edition of DSF is quite significant to the retail and tourism sectors as it comes amid the highly volatile global economic situation.
"We can sense the anticipation all around us," Suhail said, adding, "Both retailers and shoppers are waiting and expecting a lot out of the upcoming shopping season, and DSF will deliver."
Though she admits that the task is not going to be easy, Suhail explains that the DSF office team is aware of the challenges that lie ahead, and it has doubled its efforts to rise to the occasion by preparing a diversified calendar of events and daily raffle draws in addition to the best shopping bargains in the region.
Some cheer
"Things might be slowing down now, but DSF hopes to bring some cheer. This is what we are here for," Suhail said.
During DSF 2009, scheduled to run from January 15 to February 15, non-participating retail outlets will not get permission from the Department of Econ-omic Development to conduct any promotion or sale and all participating retail outlets will have to honour their offers throughout DSF 2009.
Challenges: Key sponsors
The Dubai Shopping Festival Office (DSFO) has announced the names of key sponsors for DSF 2009.
The list of sponsors for the next edition includes some of the country's largest private sector companies and institutions. Dubai Retail, a member of Dubai Properties, will join in with The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, in addition to Dubai Mall, both coming on board as new sponsors along with others including A. A. Al Moosa Enterprises, Dubai Festival City, Al Rostamani Group, BurJuman, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Refreshments - Pepsi, Dubai World Trade Centre, Emirates airline, Emirates NBD, Enoc, Jumbo, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Mashreq, Mercato, Visa and Wafi.
"This year's edition of DSF comes at a time when the entire world is experiencing an acute period of economic crisis with a number of leading world economies having drifted into economic recession. All concerned are pretty aware of the impact of this economic crisis around the world, a situation where we find ourselves faced with a great challenge ... " said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Dubai Shopping Festival Office Supreme Committee.
"We, however and notwithstanding the current challenges, believe in the prudent measures adopted by the UAE leadership to maintain our gains and assuage the negative impact of the current situation."
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