Dubai: Retailers in Dubai have seen a 39 per cent sales increase during the first two weeks of this year’s Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) compared to the same period in 2013 due to special promotions and deals, according to a statement from the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) on Monday.
DSS, a shopping and entertainment festival, started on August 2 and will run until September 5.
“The first two weeks of Dubai Summer Surprises has seen excellent results, with retailers reporting increased sales and malls averaging double digit growth in visitor numbers compared to last year. Apart from the exciting shopping deals and promotions on offer, we are also delighted that visitors from around the world are discovering that Dubai is truly geared for summer and enjoying world class family entertainment,” stated Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of the DFRE.
According to the Dubai Shopping Malls Group, the 27 shopping malls that participated in this year’s summer promotion saw footfall grow by around 10 per cent compared to last year.
“During the first half of DSS, we have already witnessed a strong increase in footfall since Ramadan, demonstrating the tremendous impact the festival brings to promote Dubai’s economic and tourism aims,” said Hussain Moosa, associate director of Majid Al Futtaim — Properties, in a statement.
Nadeem Khanzadah, head of retail at Jumbo Electronics, said that footfall in the retailer’s Dubai stores was up by at least 15 per cent during the first two weeks of DSS compared to other months.
Retailers selling perfumes, such as Dubai Duty Free and Paris Gallery, recorded a 20 per cent year-on-year rise in sales during DSS.
Michel Ayat, CEO of Arabian Automobiles, which is part of the AW Rostamani Group, said that his company has seen a 39 per cent growth in sales since the start of DSS compared to the same period in 2013.
“This DSS, we are offering free insurance, free service contracts and scratch and win coupons to every Arabian Automobiles customer,” he said.
Meanwhile, Emirates airline said that thousands of extra passengers were in Dubai during DSS, with visitors coming from both the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and international markets.
Gerald Lawless, president and CEO of Jumeirah Group, said that Jumeirah’s Dubai hotels recorded an occupancy rate of 70.2 per cent between June and mid-August, up 3.6 per cent compared to the corresponding period year ago.
“We are encouraged by this upward trend and feel confident as we prepare for the busy autumn season,” he said.
