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This year’s Dubai Shopping Festival has garnered exceptional sales and revenues in retail, hospitality, aviation, travel and financial sectors, according to organisers.
Figures made available to Emirates Business showed the retail sector enjoyed a 12 per cent sales increase during the month-long event as compared to the previous edition.
“These initial figures are strong indicators of the ability of DSF to bring in visitors that translate into higher revenues for the retail sector in Dubai,” said Eisa Adam Ibrahim, president of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group.
BurJuman Centre registered an increase of eight per cent in the number of visitors to the mall. Mall of the Emirates attracted three million visitors in total, with store sales during the event exceeding Dh500 million, according to Fouad Mansoor Sharaf, vice-president of Mall of the Emirates.
“The DSF was created to revitalise the retail trade during the low season,” DSF CEO Laila Suhail told Emirates Business earlier.
“The first quarter of the year is always a slow season, and according to feedback from retailers, we have been incredibly successful in meeting that objective and boosting sales during that period.”
The promotions launched in co-operation with Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) were also well received. More than 307 gold and jewellery outlets participated in the gold promotion during DSF 2008 where one kilo of gold was distributed as daily prize throughout the festival.
Despite rising prices, total gold sales during DSF 2008 touched a monumental Dh700 million, reflecting the confidence of consumers in shopping for gold in Dubai.
The tourism sector also benefited, witnessing a growth of 15 per cent, according to figures. Transport rental companies registered revenue increases to the tune of 25 per cent. The electronics sector witnessed unprecedented sales increase, with sales revenues up 30 per cent to Dh700 million.
The DSF organising committee met yesterday to gauge the success of this year’s edition of the event, which ran for 32 days from January 24 to February 24 this year.
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