Shopping

If retail therapy is just what the doctor ordered during your trip to Dubai, then you have come to the right place. As an open port with low import duties, Dubai’s retail prices are reasonable. Free of tax, many top brand-name products are cheaper in Dubai than in the countries of their origin. Shopping, in all its forms, is one of the great pastimes enjoyed by locals as well as expatriates and the many tourists that visit. You can spend many hours, as well as many Dirhams wandering around vast shopping malls that cater for all tastes and brands. Or you can take a small step back in time and shop the old fashioned way in Dubai’s Souqs (markets) where you can buy gold, spices and an abundance of materials, but be prepared to barter for the very best price.

Normal Dubai hours are from 09:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 21:00 or later. Some boutiques in the residential areas do not open until 09:30 or 10:00. Shopping malls tend to open from 10:00 – 22:00.

Most supermarkets stay open until late at night seven days a week, while some remain open 24 hours. Shops close for prayers on Fridays from 11:30 –13:30. Shopping malls and most shops are open on Friday evenings until late.

Here is a rough guide to some of the top malls and souqs open for business:
 

	The latest addition to Dubai's range of shopping malls opened its doors in March 2010 and features 430 stores with adjacent 3 level parking for over 7000 cars. It is anchored by a Carrefour hypermarket, a Magic Planet Entertainment zone which will contain a fabulous sky diving experience as well as indoor 5-a-side football pitches.
	The Dubai Mall is the region's premier shopping, lifestyle and entertainment destination. With more than 1,200 stores and a host of world-class attractions, The Dubai Mall is revolutionizing the modern shopping experience. With an impressive array of leisure pursuits, this is the ultimate, cutting-edge shopping experience. A range of adventure sports vies for attention alongside the romance of ice-skating. The Dubai Mall is a place where outdoor brunch can be followed by the delights of the big screen and where a 21st century Gold Souk is set off against a world class aquarium.
	This mall, situated at junction five on Sheikh Zayed Road, is a real eye opener as it’s hundreds of outlets are spread over six countries (China, India, Egypt, Tunisia, Andalusia and Persia) each with its distinctive architecture. Named after the 14th Century explorer of the same name, the mall replicates his journeys in the Middle East and Asia, which took place over a 29-year period. For entertainment there is a 21-screen cinema with an IMAX screen and a whole range of food outlets.
	The biggest of Dubai’s malls (so far), that has just about everything under its massive roof in the Al Barsha district of Dubai. As well as two floors of shops with every taste catered for, from Virgin to Carrefour, the Mall of the Emirates is most famously home to Ski Dubai, the Middle East’s first indoor skiing park, and the Kempinski Hotel. There is a Cinestar cinema, as well as two huge food courts and a new and improved Magic Planet for the younger visitors and now even a theatre. It really is a day out for all the family and the shape of things to come for future shopping malls in Dubai.
	One of the more established shopping centres, Deira City Centre is more of an old fashioned shopping mall where you can buy just about anything you need. Spread over three floors it has numerous coffee shops, small restaurants and a large food court. The shopping centre is very close to the city centre.
	The Bur Juman Centre, based near Karama and Bur Dubai, prides itself on having all the top names in shopping. Its luxurious interior makes trawling through its vast expanse a real pleasure. There are the regular food courts based on the top floor, but this is a venue for the brand conscious shoppers.
	It’s a real pleasure to go shopping at Mercato. With its Italian décor and relaxed atmosphere, it makes for a comfortable shopping experience. You really do get a feel of romantic Italy as you wander through its hidden walkways and with a food court, cinema and plenty of parking it is a real getaway- from-it-all shopping moment. Mercato is based in Jumeirah on the Beach Road.
	The Souq Madinat is part of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort and brings a flavour of old Dubai to a very modern setting. There are many shops and cafes featured in the narrow walkways and all have the feel of an old fashioned street market. There are spectacular views of the Burj Al Arab next door as well as the chance to wonder at the many waterways that make up the Hotel complex. It is a place where you could find something just a little bit different with plenty of specialist shops available. There is also a very popular theatre here as well as some of the region’s top night-spots.
	Based around an Egyptian theme, there are plenty of designer boutiques to tempt the most discerning shoppers. The building has three pyramids forming the roof, with a stained glass window. An extension is currently being built which will provide a further 90 outlets as well as a new Raffles Hotel, built in the shape of a pyramid of course.
	Situated near the Creek, this 2.8 million sq. ft. urban retail resort combines Shopping, Resort and a Golf Course to form the epicentre of one of UAE’s most exciting retail, dining and leisure destinations. The retail resort has 550 shops, including 25 flagship and anchor shops as well as many specialty boutiques and international brands. There are over 90 international restaurants, bistros and cafés throughout the resort including 40 al fresco dining venues along the water. Festival City hosts such favourites as IKEA and Ace Hardware as well as the largest Marks and Spencer in the world outside of the UK.
	The annual Dubai Shopping Festival extravaganza has rapidly become an internationally-known event, with thousands of bargains, draws, shows, promotions and some of the world’s lowest prices.

The two main souqs of Bur Dubai and Deira are being restored to highlight the historical commercial roots of the city. Both markets are covered with traditional roofing materials and include shops featuring old- style wooden doors. Bargaining or haggling is expected in all souqs.
 

These range from the traditional narrow streets of the spice souq just a stone’s throw from the Creek, to the modern fish souq with the many varieties caught in Gulf waters, and the fruit and vegetable souq. 
 

Dubai’s most famous market of all is the gold souq, with its narrow streets lined with shop windows glinting with bracelets, necklaces and earrings in 18, 21 and 22 carat gold. Bars of 24 carat in any form and weight, or bullion coins in 22 and 24 carat are also available. Prices are very reasonable and largely determined by weight, rather than design and craftsmanship. It is worth exploring beyond the main area to the outer alleys where many shops trade in silver, pearls and semi precious stones.
 

In Deira Tower’s shopping mall, carpet traders from countries across the Gulf — Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan — have established a carpet souq where prices in the 40 shops range from a few hundred Dirhams to many thousands.

In Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi Street is noted for its electronic goods shops while nearby Cosmos Lane is lined with stores selling the textiles of West and East, from cool printed cottons to exotic brocades. Further out from the city centre, Karama is Dubai’s bargain basement with an array of busy shops selling toys, household goods, textiles, fashions, accessories and much more.