DSS impact: Dubai malls report 10% rise in footfall

The Dubai economy has been given a significant boost during the first two weeks of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), with shopping malls and retailers across the Emirate reporting major increases in visitor numbers and sales compared to last year, and hotels registering high occupancy levels,  as the DSS effect permeates the retail and other economic sectors.

The Dubai Shopping Malls Group reported that there has been an average 10 per cent increase in footfall across 27 malls participating in this year’s summer promotion while AW Rostamani Group, a Strategic Partner of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and the organisers of DSS, said that special summer promotions and deals have seen a 39 percent sales increase this summer.

Malls have found themselves magnets for visitors in the first two weeks, as DSS continues to further enhance its reputation as the summer destination of choice by offering a fabulous range of world-class events and activities combined with an array of unbeatable deals offered by their retails outlets on a wide range of merchandise.

Perfumes have proved hugely popular for shoppers at Dubai Duty Free and at leading specialist stores like Paris Gallery who have reported a year on year sales increase of 20 per cent during this DSS season that began on 2nd August and will end on 5th September.

Emirates Airline have reported that they have seen thousands of extra passengers attracted to Dubai by DSS with visitors coming from both the GCC region and international destinations who are discovering how the Emirate is a strong year-round family tourism destination.

Commenting on the performance of key economic sectors at the halfway stage of DSS, Laila Mohammad Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “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. Indeed, our strategy of partnering with some of the world’s top international licensors of entertainment characters during this year’s DSS has proven to be a huge success.

“But our success would not be possible without the enduring support and commitment of our strategic partners and sponsors who have put so much time and investment into ensuring we deliver once again a fantastic DSS that is being enjoyed across the city of Dubai.  Feedback from visitors and shoppers from overseas and across the region and other Emirates has been very positive and our retail partners are finding that increased footfall is being matched by increasing sales – helping to once again boost the wider economy of Dubai.”

“Dubai Summer Surprises has become an important part of the Dubai calendar and Emirates has once again played a significant role in bringing thousands of extra visitors to Dubai,” said Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre.

Michel Ayat, CEO Arabian Automobiles/ AW Rostamani Group, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this year’s figures. Since the start of DSS we have seen a 39% growth in sales compared to the same period in 2013, and in the first half of 2014 the UAE automotive market as a whole has grown by 13% compared to the first six months of 2013.”

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