Great giveaways

At least 45 kilos of gold, precious diamonds, blue gem necklaces and high-end cars are up for grabs throughout this year's Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

In an attempt to lure bigger shopper turnout, DSF organisers have announced a staggering Dh50 million of prizes during the 11th shopping and entertainment bonanza – a 35 per cent increase on last year.

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG), Lexus, Jumbo Electronics and Visa have already unveiled massive promotions worth more than Dh30 million. Other companies, jewellery stores and event sponsors are announcing prizes every day.

DGJG officials pledged to give away a kilo of gold every day during the 45-day festival. Since the inception of DSF in 1996, the company has given away 619 kilos of gold in prizes.

“With fabulous chances of winning a kilogramme of gold every day, this year's DSF proves to be an exciting time for shoppers,'' said Tawhid Abdullah, DGJG managing director.

Visa is also offering its cardholders some Dh500,000 in jewellery prizes. Every transaction made during DSF with a Visa Credit or Visa Electron card in the UAE will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win one of four precious diamonds and blue gem necklaces.

Damas jewellers has designed and handcrafted each necklace bearing precious white diamonds and blue topaz in white gold.

The four lucky winners will be randomly drawn at the end of the shopping extravaganza. They will be invited to the grand finale event on February 13 to compete against each other for the grand prize – a necklace valued at Dh275,000. The three secondary prize necklaces are worth Dh75,000 each.

Jumbo Electronics, a leading retailer in consumer electronics and technology, is also giving shoppers a chance to win prizes worth Dh500,000 during the festivities.

The company, which has allotted Dh5 million for the DSF, will be offering 100 grams of gold every day in addition to a host of other prizes during the 45-day extravaganza. Shoppers are urged to spend at least Dh500 at any Jumbo outlet to be eligible for prizes.

Fortnightly draws will also be made, giving away a total of Dh1.5 million to 15 winners at the end of the first two weeks, another Dh1 million to 10 winners at the end of the fourth week and Dh500,000 to five winners at the final two weeks of the DSF draw.

To be eligible for prizes, buy tickets priced at Dh200 from 45 Eppco/Enoc petrol stations in the city, as well as kiosks at different malls.