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Hundreds of people gather outside Aldo shoe store in Dubai Festival City mall to donate an existing pair of shoes for charity and get a free pair at Aldo. Image Credit: Zarina Fernandes/ Gulf News

Dubai: Crowds flocked to a Dubai mall on Saturday to donate their used footwear to charity — and receive a free new pair.

Since opening its doors at 10am, the Aldo shoe store in Festival City Mall saw hundreds of people pass through its doors. Until noon, customers could swap their used shoes for a pair fresh off the shelves.

For the rest of the day, shoppers could continue to donate their shoes and buy new ones at half-price.

Under the conditions of the promotion, Aldo in Dubai will donate all lightly-used footwear to Emirates Red Crescent charity.

The branch gave away 750 brand new pairs of shoes, and received over 1,500 used ones.

“Some people just came and gave shoes as charity, they didn’t want to get a free pair of shoes,” said Sachin Banodkar, general manager of Apparel Group, Aldo’s regional franchisor.

Most of the shoes donated were in a “great condition,” another executive said.

“No one has given anything worn-out,” said Corinne Grise-Leclair, an Apparel Group brand manager. The firm says it will also donate 1,500 pairs from its warehouse to Red Crescent.

It was not clear who will receive the donated shoes, although in the past the charity has aided Syrian refugees and Yemenis caught up in their countries’ conflict.

One customer arrived too late to pick up her free shoes but took advantage of the hefty discount to buy six new pairs.

“I just hope my husband doesn’t find out,” said Jennifer D’Souza, an Indian expat.