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Shopping fest to offer bigger bargains amid global gloom
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 8 January 2009
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Results 1 to 13 of 13
Posted on Sunday, 11 January 2009
Rents
Posted by mike at 16:10 UAE time
Yes, it costs 25,000 Dhs per month to rent a qiosk in any of the popular shopping malls, but that's not all. They require 6 months in advance and a 30,000 Dhs processiing fee. That's 180,000 Dhs you have to pay before you even get started. Then you have the cost of goods to pay for. And depending on where in the mall they have located you, you may not even be able to make your rent. THere was a time when it almost made sense to go for something like this. but those days are gone.
We do most of our shopping when we go abroad. As a few people have already mentioned, the latest products don't make it here for at least 6 months afer they have been on shelves in other places and they are more expensive. Dubai shopping malls have done a good job of shooting themselves in the foot.
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Waiting for DSF
Posted by Obelix at 11:27 UAE time
OOOOh, I just can't wait for the DSF which is a couple of days away knowing fully well that is being organised because it has to be done - a face saving exercise. This will in all probability become a classic case of 'spite-your-nose-to-save-your face'.
I bet the already stressed retailers are being pressed to get their act together.
Prices in Dubai are way off the international markets. I wanted to buy a little complicated PC and the US price was about 30% less than Dubai. No it was not on sale in the US due to the current recession they are facing.
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Gulf Prices 30+% higher than home
Posted by Cutter at 09:01 UAE time
I am from Canada working in Qatar. I am surprised that the price of electronics is at least 25% more in Qatar vs. Canada. I just bought a Canon camera here for $500 Canadian. The same camera in Alberta is $321 Canadian. Over 50% more here! How is this?
The same with computers. I am planning on buying a new laptop but the prices here are also around 30-40% more in Qatar than Canada. I will therefore wait until next summer when I go home to do my shopping.
Is it the retailers pocketing all the extra profit margins?
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Posted on Friday, 9 January 2009
One example: digital camera
Posted by Arno at 01:31 UAE time
A few years ago Dubai was really famous for cheap retail prices. But things have really changed, I have recently bought a top of the range digital camera in France 25% cheaper than here (and there we have 20% VAT!!). And it comes with a better warranty! And my feelling is that it is becoming the same case for all kind of goods...
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Landlords
Posted by mike at 11:09 UAE time
I agree with DG in tha the landlords are to beblamed for the hiked prices. It always goes back to them, cause they are the ones in control of the market. I know Jumeirah international raised their rents only 7% at the begining of 2008, in keeping with the Dubai rental laws. But then they added a new 23% service charge to all contracts. How clever!
And now they are paying the price for it. Retailers are leaving one by one, cause the business is not there any more to support the high rents.
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Discounts for DSF
Posted by Bella at 10:48 UAE time
What hotels are participating in discounts during DSF in Dubai?
There is no current information on DSF website and it is only days away.
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Posted on Thursday, 8 January 2009
Shopping festival...Shame
Posted by ahmed at 20:38 UAE time
It si highly unfair to even think of the festival when fellow muslim children are dying in Gaza...the whole thought of shopping/bargain/discount/festivities is disgusting to say the least...the least we can do is cancel the festival this year...its not the end of the world!..lets show some humanity and show some sympathy to the ;ess fortunate ones...PLEASE CANCEL THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR
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Re: Why highstreet brands fail
Posted by DG at 17:01 UAE time
Don't blame the high costs on the retailers, it's the shopping mall owners causing the problems - they like all the other landlords believe that they continuously hike up the rents without regards to you the consumer or the retailers. Each rent hike is passed onto the consumer in the form of higher cost of goods, and they are still trying to increase the rents even now!
Do you know the cost of a 2x3 mtr kiosk in any of the the popular mall will now set you back Dhs.25,000 per month? That like 300,000 p/a, the cost of renting a villa! Just imagine the cost of a shop and then wonder why the goods are so expensive.
I've never known a business model like the landlords Dubai where the the supplier will keep hiking up the prices with no consideration of the customers ability to pay - the ultimate in short term thinking which will now make the credit crisis much worst than it needed be.
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Promoted? Where?
Posted by Kieran at 16:32 UAE time
Even the good people of CIS, India, GCC and Iran can usually access the internet.
So why is http://www.mydsf.com/dsf2009/ (the website for DSF 2009) still "Under Construction" barely weeks away from the opening?
My wife asked me to check DSF with a view to visiting for her birthday treat but I can't find out anything about it!! Which are the "participating hotels" mentioned? Where will the deals / exhibitions / shows be?
If this is indicative of the standards of the other marketing efforts then the retailers had better not be hoping for much to come of it.
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Dubai 'tax free' prices are ridiculous
Posted by paul at 16:31 UAE time
I remember the day when Brits came here and thought the prices were good. But I was back home at Christmas and prices for electronic items were far cheaper, there was a better choice, and the gadgets were all the latest versions whereas in Dubai you get everything about 6 months later, by which time those versions are in the UK priced to clear.
So the price cuts have to be really substantial just to offset the 25% weaker pound. But I just don't see retailers being able to do this.
All this positive spin constantly being put out about how Dubai will be fine is not helping matters as it is convincing businesses to hold fire in the expectation things will magically improve in the next month or two, which they most certainly will not.
I would suggest that mall operators would be wise to slash rents immediately on the condition that the stores pass on the cuts to their customers in lower prices. If they don't do this, they will likely see large numbers of their stores go out of business and end up having to mark down rents to sensible levels or face the prospect of empty shops.
Dubai has creamed it in during this boom, but quick action to reverse prices is needed if Dubai wants to have any hope of remaining a shopping destination. The malls need to lead the way.
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Answer to Why highstreet brands fail
Posted by MS at 13:51 UAE time
Its called the greedy middle man in Dubai - who has exclusive and royal rights and fleeces everyone with ridiculous prices.
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Gamble
Posted by John Doe at 12:31 UAE time
I was under the impression that they wouldn't go through with this what with all the market turmoil in Dubai but let's se how this gamble (literally) pays off!
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Why highstreet brands fail
Posted by Faisal at 12:02 UAE time
It really surprises me that High Street brands operating in a virtually tax free country like UAE are selling at almost twice the retail price in their 'domiciled' countries. I am a regular visitor to the US and I really feel that the items in stock over here are mostly old fashioned ones which sell are much deeper discount worldwide. On a personal front, i would be much pleased to spend in the economy i am earning. However, these retailer dont leave me with any option but to make my purchases from the US and UK.
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