Looking for bargains in Dubai? There’s an app for it

Who doesn’t like a bargain? If you’re one of those on the lookout for killer deals, then The Entertainer discount books will be something you are familiar with.

Over the last 12 years, they’ve been snapping up fun ‘buy-one-get-one-free’ deals, allowing residents to indulge in guilt-free spending, without crunching their budget.

And, in keeping with the times, The Entertainer has now gone mobile, allowing its patrons to avoid lugging around bulky voucher books and ensuring they would never miss out on a deal.

Now, all you need to do is slide your smartphone and snap up a deal.

The Entertainer app is free and is available on Android, Apple’s iOS, and BlackBerry 10. Customers can pre-order the 2014 Entertainer mobile packages into the app for Dh395, the same price as the book.

In addition, if the pre-order is placed during November, then the customers can get a 15 per cent discount.

Talking to Emirates 24|7, Donna Benton, The Entertainer’s founder and chief executive, highlighted how it was convenience that lead them to develop the mobile app.

“If you are actually in a mall and you don’t know where you are going, you can actually just do things on impulse. The other great thing about the app is that it’s pretty much the same as the printed version. So, you still have the free vouchers that you can use. Same terms and condition. The extras is that you have the GPS function,” she added.

Explaining the process, Donna informed that the customer and the merchant have to type in the exclusive pin number on the mobile app, in order to redeem the voucher.

“It is very simple. Very easy. And, the other great thing is that it gives our customers’ options,” she added.

The app, which took two years in the making, also provides with editorial, telephone numbers and maps to the outlets, making the whole experience a lot easier and educated.

“The other great thing is that you can share your pin with your family. It will basically function as one account for the family because it supports multiple users for one pin.”

There's also a savings calculator that totals how much a customer saves.

Donna added that they are plugging an exclusive member club offer as well. “From January, customers can avail members’ club offers, that are free every month, and free globally. So, if you are travelling to Cape Town or Singapore, Hong Kong or London, you can actually just switch it over to the country and avail those offers as well.”

But, for those who do not wish to go mobile, the books will still be available.
“Those who still like the touch-and-feel of the book can still go for the voucher books. So, for us it’s about giving options to our customers. Somewhere like Asia will be a lot more digital than somewhere like Bahrain.”

Dubai was the first city that The Entertainer took on. “It’s our home ground. Dubai was the first book that we did. And, now we have 27 books in 23 destinations in 16 countries.

“We are in all the Middle East, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, Cape Town and Johannesburg, London and Cyprus. And, all GCC [countries].

“In all the continents that we are in now, we want to go deeper rather than wider.”

Despite being in the market for over a decade, Donna claimed there's no secret to their success.

“There’s no secret, really. We’ve been going for over 12 years, so we obviously built a brand. What the key is, you have to drive the results. 

“We have the best worldwide merchant base and one of the strongest offers that you can get. So, if you put them together it is extremely powerful. That’s for the customer. And, for the merchants, we drive the right people to their door.

“We are about quality rather than quantity.”

The Entertainer, Donna emphasised, is targeted at any one who wants value for money. “It also works like a guide. Our portfolio covers everything from hotels to spas, to activities to outdoors. We are, in essence, a lifestyle company.”

Apart from the mobile, The Entertainer will also be launched in five new countries this year.

They are also going retail – launching wallets, notepads, Entertainer teddy bears and kid’s colouring books at a store in Mirdif City Centre. “We will soon be at Dubai Gold and Diamond Park also.”