Dubai - MENA Herald: With the 20th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) giving a major boost to businesses across various sectors in the emirate, the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), has paid tribute to its Strategic Partners for their long-standing support in ensuring the success of every retail campaign launched by the Government of Dubai.
Since its first edition in 1998, DSS has grown in popularity over the years, and today it is a major retail attraction, an achievement that is largely due to the excellent collaboration between the government and private sectors. They have been inspired by the common goal of further enhancing Dubai’s position as the leading tourism and shopping destination in the region.
An innovative DSS 2017 campaign, which started on 1 July, is dedicated to recognising the huge contribution made by DFRE’s Strategic Partners, featuring six weeks of sales and discounts aimed at offering residents and visitors a memorable summer packed with rewarding shopping experiences. This year the annual DSS runs until 12 August.
Commenting on the support extended by Strategic Partners to DSS 2017, Saeed Mohammad Measam Al Falasi, Executive Director, Retail and Strategic Alliances, DFRE, said: “The unique partnership between the government and private sectors has repeatedly ensured the success of our retail campaigns such as the Dubai Summer Surprises year after year. The sustained level of retail growth during the summer is evident by the high increases in footfall and sales at retail outlets that help create a rewarding summer experience for everyone who chooses Dubai as their holiday and shopping destination during this time of the year.
“The outstanding support of our Strategic Partners combined with our continued quest for excellence and innovation in creating a diverse retail experience has led to DSS 2017 focusing on its retail roots built around sales and discounts with the aim of providing shoppers a citywide bonanza of surprises and rewards. The packed line-up of unique retail promotions, along with events and entertainment during DSS 2017 will make the city as lively and vibrant in the summer season as it is during any other time of the year, and we thank our Strategic Partners for their continued support that has helped make DSS the region’s most awaited shopping experience.”
DFRE’s Strategic Partners and Key Sponsors have also hailed the popular summer initiative, and expressed their continued support to ensure a successful DSS 2017.
DFRE’s Strategic Partners for 2017 are Emirates, AW Rostamani Group, Emaar Malls, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Dubai Festival City, Mercato, Paris Gallery, ENOC, Nakheel, Dubai Duty Free, Meraas and Etisalat.
Emirates
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Centre., said: “It’s great to see the Dubai Shopping Festival in full swing for its next edition and Dubai is buzzing with bustling shopping malls and numerous associated events, activities and promotions happening around the city. We know many of the visitors that Emirates is bringing to Dubai during this period are coming to avail the best deals and simply enjoy their summer, and this further establishes Dubai as a centre of a broad range of attractive events.”
AW Rostamani
Michel Ayat, CEO Arabian Automobiles Company, the flagship company of AW Rostamani Group and the exclusive dealer for Nissan, INFINITI and Renault in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, said: “Arabian Automobiles has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) since its inception in 1996, and with its Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) event since it was launched in 1997. We are united by a mission to support our government’s vision of making Dubai the world’s top tourist destination, and DSS plays a significant role in this as the month-long festivities attract millions of visitors to the city annually.
Arabian Automobiles aims to help DSS stand out as a leading opportunity in the global retail calendar by providing customers with unique promotions across all Nissan, INFINITI and Renault models. DSS is also a chance for us to thank our loyal customers and show them our appreciation for their ongoing support by offering them a range of exciting retail experiences. This is the ideal time of year to purchase a new vehicle and meet our dedicated teams, who will be on hand throughout the summer to help customers benefit from our DSS campaign.”
ENOC
His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: “Dubai Summer Surprises has set a retail benchmark in the region since its inception in 1996. ENOC has been a strategic partner of all major DFRE events, having also supported DSS for the past years, which has been a strong contributor to the city's tourism and retail sector growth.”
Paris Gallery
Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Fahim, CEO, Paris Gallery Group of Companies, said: “Dubai has positioned itself as one of the preferred summer destinations worldwide and will welcome a large number of tourists this year. For most retailers this means increased footfall and a challenge in accommodating this increase without sacrificing in-store experience. We expect a large influx of tourists especially from neighbouring countries who consider Dubai a haven for shopping and leisure. Our priority during DSS is to ensure heightened levels of customer experiences in store by offering great product assortments and special offers on a wide range of products. We are optimistic about a 15% increase in sales during this time. Thanks to DFRE who has played a very constructive and consistent role in working alongside malls and other related sectors to make shopping, entertainment and leisure exciting and rewarding during DSS.”
Dubai Duty Free
Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President - Corporate Services, Dubai Duty Free, said: “Dubai Duty Free is committed to supporting events that attract visitors throughout the year, especially during the Dubai Summer Surprises period. As a Strategic Partner, we are extremely delighted to be part of its landmark 20th anniversary edition and to be associated with DFRE for all of their spectacular events this year.”
Emaar Malls
Nasser Rafi, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Malls, said: “Emaar Malls are thrilled to once again be taking part in Dubai Summer Surprises. Highly anticipated by tourists, residents and retailers alike, DSS is a standout event for the year across Emaar Malls. Over the years we’ve come to find that visitors look forward to the festive offers, which continue to drive sales for retailers and enhance value for consumers.
“A pillar of tourism for the city, which is bolstered by key shopping malls across our portfolio, Dubai’s retail segment is spurred by events such as DSS. It underpins the robust economic environment of Dubai, driven by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”
Majid Al Futtaim Properties
Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director for Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman) said: “Majid Al Futtaim has been a strategic partner of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) for over twenty years, and considers Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) as a key event in the yearly calendar. The festival is a significant contributor to Dubai’s economy and tourism driving millions of visitors to Majid Al Futtaim’s shopping malls for world-class shopping, dining and entertainment. DSS is a platform to deliver innovative customer experiences from incredible promotions and winning opportunities to family entertainment and first-time experiences, and is in line with our vision to create great moments for everyone, everyday. Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Me’aisem, City Centre Al Shindagha and My City Centre Al Barsha are set to each host unrivalled experiences and shopping offers this summer that are better than ever before. We are looking forward to another successful DSS and welcoming residents and tourists to our malls.”
Dubai Festival City Mall
Steven Cleaver, Director, Shopping Centres Dubai, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate, said: “This year, Dubai Festival City has worked closely with Dubai Tourism as well as Festival City retailers to make the 20th celebration of Dubai Summer Surprises the biggest ever seen. We are giving shoppers the chance to win AED 1 million+ worth of prizes in our ‘Shop.Pop & Win’ Competition and one lucky shopper will have the chance to win an all-new 2017 Lexus RC F! We look forward to welcoming thousands of shoppers during this exciting period of retail and celebrating one of the largest shopping festivals in Dubai.”
Nakheel
Omar Khoory, Managing Director, Nakheel Malls, said: “Nakheel Malls is delighted to reinforce its commitment to DFRE as a strategic partner for Dubai Summer Surprises 2017 – a key event in Dubai’s retail calendar. We are building on the success of last year’s event by hosting an exciting range of family activities and promotions at the world-famous Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon Mart 2, and look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of UAE residents and tourists throughout the festival.”
Mercato
Nissren Boustani, PR manager at Mercato, said: “As a strategic partner of DFRE, an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing Mercato is partnering on this year’s Dubai Summer Surprises to make it one of the best editions to date. Over the years, we have showcased diverse activities during the summer-long shopping and entertainment extravaganza providing memorable experiences for Dubai residents and visitors.
“Mercato will host a spectacular Circus Festival which will be bright, fresh and colourful; throughout the summer festival the whole family can enjoy a wide variety of fun-filled shows which include live circus performances featuring energetic acrobatics, an engaging and innovative comedy street show, Cirque Extreme which involves bicycle stunts and Equilibrium Tremens - an incredible balancing act; for every AED 200 spent in any shop or outlet at Mercato or Town Centre Jumeirah during Dubai Summer Surprises, shoppers will get the chance to win incredible prizes including a GMC Yukon Denali (2017 model), a dream family holiday to Mauritius courtesy of dnata travel or one of five Liali Jewellery gift vouchers with a total prize value of AED 25,000.
“We look forward to a spectacular Dubai Summer Surprises in 2017 where shoppers will have the opportunity to experience a mesmerising 6 weeks of DSS sale and retail extravaganza.”
Etisalat
Dr Ahmed Bin Ali, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Etisalat Group, said: “Dubai Summer Surprises is one of the most anticipated events in the UAE attracting millions of local, regional and international visitors to experience entertainment, shopping and award winning events. As part of our corporate responsibility and strategic partnership with Dubai Festival and Retail Establishment, we are honored to be part of this national event that’s attracts our customers all over the country and contributes to the growth of the economy positioning UAE on the global map of tourism.”
