DSF's prize bonanza will top Dh50m in cash, cars

Dubai: The value of prizes during next month's Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will exceed Dh50 million as organisers attempt to draw in bumper crowds for a vital fixture in Dubai's retail calender.

DSF organisers on Wednesday announced that prizes worth Dh25 million will be given away for the Lexus Mega Raffle, a constant DSF fixture since the event began in 1996.

Click here to see the past years' no: of visitors and spending (pdf)

Ebrahim Saleh, chief operating officer at DSF, told Gulf News that the Lexus promotion is just 50 per cent of the combined value of DSF prizes with other car companies, jewellery stores and event sponsors set to announce details of their giveaways.

He said the DSF's total prize value is more than 35 per cent more than last year after organisers merged the 2006 and 2007 editions of the festival into a single 45-day shopping and entertainment bonanza.

Saleh said DSF's emphasis on encouraging retail spending is greater than ever to make up for the postponement of DSF 2006 due to the sudden demise in January of Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"We know that if you announce big prizes and do more promotions it will attract more people to come and shop in Dubai and this will greatly benefit the retailers involved," said Saleh.

In 2005, DSF drew in 3.3 million visitors over 32 days.

Total DSF spending hit Dh6.67 billion compared to Dh5.8 billion in 2004. This year's event is expected to break all records as the 45 day period coincides with Christmas, New Year and Eid Al Adha holidays.

According to organisers, the Lexus Mega Raffle is one of DSF's most popular promotions.

This year there will be daily draws to announce one winner out of 5,000 entrants.

The winners of the daily draws running throughout the DSF will walk away with two Lexus cars, an ES350 and LX470, in addition to Dh100,000 in cash.

Fortnightly draws are being introduced for the first time.

At the end of the first two weeks of DSF a draw will be held to award 15 winners with a total of Dh1.5 million.

At the end of the fourth week 10 winners will be chosen, each receiving Dh100,000.

The final two weeks will have prize money of Dh500,000 split between five winners.

Tickets (priced at Dh200) can be bought from 45 Eppco/Enoc petrol stations throughout the city, as well as kiosks at Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, Ibn Battuta Mall and BurJuman. They will also be available at DSF venues including Global Village, Al Fahidi Street, Gold Souq, Naif Road and Baniyas Square.

The tickets will be on sale starting November 25, and the first draw will take place on December 20.

The combined edition of DSF 2006-07 will run from December 20 to February 2.

For more information, visit the DSF website www.mydsf.ae