Dubai Shopping
Festival: Early memories and top tips
Residents who have been in the UAE for more than 20 years
share their thoughts on DSF
By Janice Ponce de Leon and Mary Achkhanian, Staff Reporters
Published: 17:37 January 4, 2015
Dubai: Whether it’s bargains, street entertainment, or the
car and gold winnings, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has made a huge impact
in people’s lives for the past two decades.
Gulf News asked residents who witnessed the opening of the
first DSF in Rigga in 1996 about their earliest memories and the shopping
techniques they’ve discovered through the years. For some, the kilometres-long
cake that everyone went crazy about after gossip broke out that car keys were
hidden inside it was the most vivid memory during the DSF inaugural launch. For
others, DSF brings to mind its distinctive shopping bag and logo. Here’s what
our readers asscoaite with their DSF memories:
Mohammad Sawood, 29, works in travel sales, from India
Where he was when DSF
was launched:
“I was in Dubai then, but I was still studying. I was 11
years old.”
Experience during
first DSF:
“The whole festival was held in Rigga. People who lived near
the area used to just walk to where the whole celebration was. The abra was the
most used mode of transportation. I remember there was a bunjee jumping contest
where people who’d try out and touched the water of the Dubai Creek would get
to win two cars. Only the brave ones tried it out. The fireworks display was
one of the major attractions because it was a new thing for many people.”
What DSF means to
him:
“DSF to me is a very good campaign for tourists — a lot of
people are coming to the city, so you won’t get idle at work especially of
you’re working in travel sales.”
Biggest discounts
he’s had so far
“When I bought an iPhone 4 two years back. I got a discount
of Dh250. My very first purchase during DSF was a leather wallet at Dh30, which
would probably cost Dh100-Dh150 now.”
Top shopping tip:
• “If you
plan to shop at the end of the year, wait for the DSF. That way you get a
chance to win in raffles during DSF [after shopping].
Mohammad Ebrahim Mohammad, 54, files coordinator, from India
Where he was when DSF
was launched:
“I’ve been in the UAE for 38 years and I was here in Dubai
when they first launched it in Rigga beside the then Dubai Municipality
office.”
Fist DSF experience:
“Earlier, the entire celebration was concentrated in one
area in Rigga stretching for about two square kilometres. But now, everywhere
you look, you see DSF promotions. We would go out to shop four or five times
every week because people were really interested in it as it was a new
concept.”
What DSF means to
him:
“DSF is a time when family members from India travel to
Dubai to shop.”
Biggest discounts
he’s had so far:
“I got a discount of Dh200 after buying a TV set, that’s the
biggest so far. My very first purchase was a sound mixer for Dh125 and I was
able to use it for ten years.”
Top shopping tip:
• “Best
thing to buy during DSF are electronics [and] appliances. I bought a discounted
washing machine that came with a [free] microwave oven.”
Ramesh Menon, communications coordinator based in Abu Dhabi:
Where he was when DSF
was launched:
“I was in Dubai when the first DSF was launched in 1996. The
closing day of [the first] DSF will remain unforgettable for me. I still
remember the crowded Al Nasr Square streets and rush that was experienced that
evening.”
Experience during
first DSF:
“The first-of-[its]-kind inaugural event in the region
itself was a great success. The activities were concentrated in Deira, Bur
Dubai and Satwa. The streets were decorated and evenings were filled with
curious residents to experiences the never before shopping bonanza that was
going to be there for a long period to come in the history of Dubai and UAE.
The lucky draws giving luxurious cars on raffle were a big attraction.
What DSF means to
him:
“A festive time where friends and families could meet, do a
bit of shopping, eat out and explore the culture and tradition of countries
from different parts of the world. DSF has grown its stature to entice many
countries to emulate similar events on a yearly basis.”
Top shopping tip:
“DSF now is spread out for a longer time and so wait for the
early rush to subside and select offers and items that really fit your purse
and requirements.”
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| From (left clockwise) : Julia Greenwood, Mohammad Sawood and Ramesh Menon |
Julia Greenwood, PA to Senior Vice President, ADGAS, from the UK:
Where she was when
DSF was launched:
“I was in Abu Dhabi at the launch of DSF. It was a fantastic
idea and created a hub for people to meet and shop from all over the world.”
Experience during
first DSF:
“The hype of excitement that all the shops were
simultaneously on sale making offers, [holding] raffles and hotel discounts.
[It was] amazing.”
What DSF means to
her:
“DSF is a chance to buy products [that] perhaps I would wait
to save up for, but can be considered due to DSF shopping discounts. I have
made new friends from socialising on a DSF meet and shop.”
Biggest discounts
she’s had so far:
“We bought skis, suitcases, [and] evening dresses from the
best brands. The hotels we stayed at were offering half price rooms with
breakfast.”
Top shopping tip:
“I think the whole festival runs smoothly as it is, the word
is spread around the world, and visitors from all over are keen to experience
it. Perhaps the public transport can get involved more with the late-night
shopping, i.e., weekly passes exclusive from DSF outlets.”
To read it in original, visit
Gulf News online
