logo
Beyond the bargains: What makes Dubai Summer Surprises stand out?

Beyond the bargains: What makes Dubai Summer Surprises stand out?

Gulf Business4 days ago
Image credit: Supplied
Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 has officially launched, transforming the city into a hub of excitement, unbeatable retail offers, family entertainment, and mega prize opportunities for residents and visitors over the next nine weeks, reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading global summer destination.
Read-
For the first time in its history, DSS introduces three specially curated retail seasons aligned with the summer rhythm, ensuring continuous activity across Dubai's malls, attractions, hotels, and dining destinations while supporting the city's vision under the D33 economic agenda.
Three retail seasons, one unmissable summer
Shoppers can explore three consecutive retail windows under DSS 2025:
Summer Holiday Offers (27 June–17 July):
Kicking off the season with early promotions, citywide raffles, and savings of up to 75 per cent across leading brands.
Great Dubai Summer Sale (18 July–10 August):
Bringing the season's deepest citywide discounts of up to 90 per cent off, alongside exclusive flash sales and grand raffles.
Back to School (11–31 August):
Focused on school essentials, family needs, and promotions with opportunities to win scholarships towards school fees.
'Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 has been designed to bring unmatched value to our residents and visitors while ensuring every part of the summer has something new to offer,' said Mohamad Feras, AVP Retail & Strategic Alliances at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
'Each season within DSS has been curated with a clear purpose, ensuring that as families, residents, and tourists move through the summer, there is always something to look forward to in Dubai.'
Back to School: Supporting families across the city
The final phase of DSS 2025, Back to School (11–31 August), focuses on easing the financial and logistical pressures of the new school year, with promotions on school supplies, technology, clothing, and essentials, alongside scholarship raffles for families.
'Back to School season is a critical time for families, and we want to ensure that DSS plays a role in making it smoother, more affordable, and even joyful,' Feras explained. 'We are not just supporting shopping; we are supporting families as they prepare for a new academic year.'
Aligning with Dubai's vision and economic agenda
DSS 2025 aligns with Dubai's D33 Economic Agenda, reinforcing the city's position as one of the world's best places to live, work, and visit through vibrant retail, tourism, and entertainment offerings.
'DSS plays an important role in driving Dubai's retail economy while ensuring residents and visitors experience the city in its full vibrancy,' Feras emphasized. 'It showcases how Dubai can be a world-class summer destination, providing value while creating joy.'
Strategic partnerships powering DSS 2025
Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners, including Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat.
'Our partners are critical to the success of DSS 2025, ensuring the festival reaches every community and every visitor with a consistent, high-quality experience,' said Feras.
Citywide festival of shopping and entertainment
Running for nine weeks across over 1,000 brands and 3,500 retailers, DSS 2025 promises citywide savings paired with immersive family-friendly activations, exclusive entertainment, and prize-winning opportunities.
'These three shopping seasons anchor DSS 2025, creating a summer that is not only about shopping but about shared experiences, excitement, and community connection,' Feras added. 'Dubai has always been a city that thrives on experiences, and DSS is designed to ensure every shopper can feel that.'
The Great Dubai Summer Sale: Mega deals and mega prizes
The Great Dubai Summer Sale (GDSS), from 18 July to 10 August, sits at the heart of DSS 2025, offering the deepest discounts of the summer, with up to 90 per cent off during limited-time flash sales and citywide offers.
Shoppers spending Dhs300 or more at participating outlets can take part in the GDSS Shop, Scan and Win promotion, entering a draw to win Dhs1m in cash or a brand-new Nissan Patrol, ensuring every shopping trip has the potential to transform a customer's summer.
'This is not just about shopping; it is about making memories and creating life-changing moments for our shoppers,' Feras noted. 'The GDSS Shop, Scan and Win campaign gives shoppers the chance to walk away from a day of shopping with their lives changed forever.'
Skywards Everyday members can amplify their DSS experience by earning 25 per cent bonus Miles on all eligible transactions and will also stand a chance to win a share of one million Skywards Miles with spends of Dhs100 or more at participating Skywards Everyday and Skywards Miles Mall partners.
Exciting flash sales and limited-time offers
To maintain high energy throughout DSS, a series of exclusive flash sales and limited-time events will be rolled out, including:
GDSS 12 Hour Sale
GDSS Daily Surprises
GDSS Gold & Jewellery Flash Sale
GDSS Beat the Clock with Rivoli Group
GDSS Shop for Free Weekend with Al Jaber Optical
GDSS Dubai Hills Mall One Day Sale
GDSS Final Sale
'Flash sales add an element of surprise and anticipation to the shopping experience,' Feras shared. 'They create moments that shoppers can plan for, get excited about, and share with family and friends.'
Opportunity to win big across Dubai's malls
Shoppers across Dubai will also have the chance to win big through citywide raffles and exclusive rewards throughout DSS:
One million SHARE points at Majid Al Futtaim malls, including instant 5 per cent cashback at City Centre Mirdif and City Centre Deira, and up to 20X SHARE Points at Mall of the Emirates.
Dhs10,000 in Tickit rewards at participating retail partners.
A Polestar 4 LRSM at Dubai Festival City Mall.
A Soueast S06 SUV at Dubai Outlet Mall.
The DSS Lucky Receipt promotion at participating malls, offering instant rewards until July 17.
'This is truly a summer where shopping goes beyond the transaction,' said Feras. 'It becomes about the chance to win, the chance to experience something new, and the chance to walk away with prizes that can redefine your year.'
Record-breaking raffles for DSS 2025
This year's DSS also features Dubai's largest summer raffles, ensuring that shoppers have even more reasons to participate:
The Dubai Shopping Malls Group DSS Raffle will award nine brand-new cars.
The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group Raffle will distribute 30 gold bars to 30 winners.
The Visa Jewellery Programme will grant 50 winners a share of AED 175,000 in jewellery vouchers.
'These raffles are a testament to Dubai's commitment to rewarding its community and visitors,' Feras commented. 'When we say DSS offers one of the world's most rewarding summer shopping experiences, we mean it.'
Dubai: The ultimate summer destination
As DSS 2025 unfolds, residents and visitors can expect a summer packed with exclusive offers, vibrant entertainment, family activities, and endless opportunities to win, making Dubai the ultimate summer destination for shopping and leisure.
'We invite everyone to join us this summer,' concluded Feras. 'Whether you are looking for unbeatable deals, world-class entertainment, family activities, or the chance to win life-changing prizes, DSS 2025 is here to ensure that Dubai remains the best place to be this summer.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How the climate crisis is creating millions of refugees in the Middle East
How the climate crisis is creating millions of refugees in the Middle East

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

How the climate crisis is creating millions of refugees in the Middle East

• Remittance charges will be tackled by blockchain • UAE's monumental and risky Mars Mission to inspire future generations, says minister • Could the UAE drive India's economy? • News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it • Architecture is over - here's cybertecture • The National announces Future of News journalism competition • Round up: Experts share their visions of the world to come

UAE Property: ‘How can I increase summer occupancy in my RAK rental unit?'
UAE Property: ‘How can I increase summer occupancy in my RAK rental unit?'

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

UAE Property: ‘How can I increase summer occupancy in my RAK rental unit?'

Question: I am buying an apartment in Ras Al Khaimah and want to rent it out for short-term rentals soon. How can I optimise summer occupancy and which local regulations must I adhere to? MP, Dubai Answer: Ras Al Khaimah is fast becoming a destination of choice, not just as a go-to staycation destination for the UAE holiday market, but also for longer-term visitors and tourists. With the arrival of the Wynn Al Marjan Island resort in 2026/2027, the emirate is likely to become more popular as a short-term destination. Here are a few things to remember and adhere to. By law, all tenancy contracts in RAK must be registered through the RAK Municipality e-portal. The fee is Dh25 ($6.8) plus 5 per cent of the annual rent. Unregistered contracts are unenforceable, stripping landlords of eviction rights and security deposit recourse. Standard residential leases are allowed up to four-year terms, but short-term leases of say two to four months must still comply with the Rent Act's eviction notice requirement, which is a minimum 90 days, and the security deposit rule, which is 5 per cent of the annual rent. Offer two- to four-month summer lets bundled with free utilities, complimentary AC servicing and optional maid services. UAE residents that enjoy staycations value turnkey, worry-free stays. List on leading short-let platforms such as Airbnb, local short-term rental agents and collaborate with GCC-focused travel agencies to tap into regional leisure traffic. Ensure your unit is presented in the best possible fashion by furnishing with high-quality appliances, blackout curtains, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a dedicated workspace to attract both families and remote working professionals seeking respite from the summer heat. Employ revenue management software to adjust nightly or weekly rates based on occupancy forecasts or get comparable data from portals and local holiday home agents. Look out for any local events that will potentially capture higher premiums. Conduct professional cleaning and safety inspections between tenancies to maintain high review scores. Offer flexible check-in/out times and transparent cancellation policies to build guest trust. Monitor competitor rates regularly to ensure your pricing remains competitive without eating into your yield. By combining regulatory compliance with targeted marketing and professional service levels, part-time RAK landlords can boost summer occupancy from roughly 45 per cent (unmanaged) to over 75 per cent, capturing premium short-let rates and maximising annual income. Watch: Businesswoman moves from Dubai to RAK to find some quiet Q: I would be interested to understand what are the emerging areas in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in terms of capital appreciation, rental yields and which developers I should work with? CP, Sharjah A: While Dubai commands the headlines, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah are quietly delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns in well-priced, master-planned communities. I will list below some top picks that I think combine credible developer track records, infrastructure momentum and balanced capital appreciation. Starting with Abu Dhabi, the main master developer is Aldar. Some of its main projects are: Al Reem Island: Boasting a 7.2 per cent year-on-year price rise in the first quarter of 2025 and gross rental yields of 7.6 per cent for apartments, Al Reem Island blends waterfront views with high-street retail. The Central Market and Gate Towers precincts have strong presales, minimising completion risk and ensuring pipeline transparency. Yas Island: Driven by entertainment megaprojects such as Warner Bros, Ferrari World, Sea World, Yas Waterworld and the Yas Mall expansion, luxury apartments command 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent yields, with prices up 6.6 per cent in early 2025. The upcoming first Disney World in the Middle East will further elevate property prices and demand for both long- and short-term rentals. Al Ghadeer: A reclaimed land community by Aldar located on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border, it offers entry-level pricing (sub-Dh1 million studios) and yields near 9.9 per cent, underpinned by affordable payment plans and infrastructural upgrades connecting to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. Main projects in Sharjah include: Aljada by Arada: This is a fully integrated town centre featuring three schools, 25,000 residential units, a 4.4-kilometre retail boulevard, hotels and public plazas, along with large green spaces and family entertainment areas. Aljada's off-plan apartments yield 5 per cent to 7 per cent, with an expected 7.5 per cent return on investment on handover. Arada's track record of delivering three large-scale projects on time adds to investor and end-user confidence. Tilal City (Sharjah Asset Management): Modelled on Mediterranean lagoons, Tilal City's early studio and one-bedroom launches delivered 6 per cent to 8 per cent yields, with mid-teen capital growth forecast as schools, clinics and malls open next year. Maryam Island: Launched in 2024, this waterfront mixed-use island has seen soft-launch price uplifts of around 8 per cent within six months and yields of around 6 per cent. This is driven by Sharjah's tourism push and the project's proximity to the Corniche.

Could a Caesar salad ever be worth Dh450?
Could a Caesar salad ever be worth Dh450?

The National

time3 hours ago

  • The National

Could a Caesar salad ever be worth Dh450?

I thought I'd become desensitised to fine dining prices in major cities, until I saw a Dh450 Caesar salad on a menu at a restaurant last week. That's $122 or £91 for a bowl of lettuce, croutons and dressing. Sure, the fine dining restaurant scene is expensive, but who can afford, or justify, that kind of spend on a salad? The dish sits on the list of relatively typical starters at a well-known restaurant in Dubai. It isn't the most expensive item on the list − that would be the whole king crab leg for Dh690 − but it stands out when compared to the eggplant salad (Dh85) or even the Dh185 burrata. The price of the dish has ruffled feathers among my friends and family. 'Guess how much a Caesar salad I saw recently costs?' is how I have started the lion's share of my conversations this week. My mum guessed Dh60. My dad joked Dh80. A friend said Dh55. None of them got close. What justifies this price? That remains to be seen, because I didn't order it. No, I couldn't justify it, even in the name of research! Traditional Caesar ingredients are relatively inexpensive. It's a simple enough salad of lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons and Caesar dressing, which is made of egg yolks, olive oil, anchovies, garlic and Parmesan. So, what is in this particular salad? Gold (we know that is popular these days!)? Caviar? Truffle? The menu lists the ingredients as simply: crouton, baby jem (sic) and Parmesan cheese. Perhaps the full name of the dish is something of a key to the price tag – it's named after a high-end beverage brand, which sells for about Dh1,200 in-store in Dubai, and for much more at bars. I was told it's incorporated into the dressing. Are these dishes purely expensive by design, something intentionally created to ruffle feathers? Or is there a market for these extremely pricey plates? At one popular restaurant in Dubai, you can buy 200g of Almas caviar for Dh44,000. The cheapest caviar on the menu is 50g of white surgeon, which comes in at Dh540. In the past we have written about a Dh2,999 ice cream, a sundae I'd argue was created more to grab headlines than entice customers. It routinely goes viral for its high price tag. And please don't get me started on gilded steaks. This has all got me thinking more broadly about the cost of fine dining in the region. Hospitality is a challenging and overcrowded industry. Countless restaurants are forced to close every year as the industry gets more and more difficult to keep afloat in, between high operating costs, import challenges and complex regulatory systems. I also understand that there are high overheads to cover. We do see phenomenal restaurants open up, make an impact and endeavour to keep costs as close to an accessible level as possible for the customers. At some Michelin-starred restaurants, you can get a two-course lunch menu for Dh125 and starters range from Dh58 to Dh255. Another Michelin-starred restaurant offers a two-course lunch for Dh99; its evening tasting menus start at Dh395. That said, set menus that cost more than Dh1,000 are cropping up more and more. At what stage will it become de rigueur for a meal to cost more than Dh2,000 per person? It feels like that is the trajectory we're on. This month, a $400 melon has gone viral in the US. The New York Times drew attention to the Japanese-export musk melon being sold at Farm & Forage in the Hamptons. According to the publication, it is noted for its remarkable sweetness, despite the fact that it 'looks identical to a regular grocery-store cantaloupe' to the undiscerning eye. Pricing has rolled out of control, becoming a parody of itself. It is as if those setting the prices have been inspired by the scene in Arrested Development, when a notably financially out-of-touch Lucille Bluth quips: 'It's one banana, how much could it possibly cost? $10?' I don't think I have a solution. Of course, there are always more affordable options available and no one is forcing me to try or pay for a Dh450 salad, so I suppose that is a resolution in and of itself. But I have no doubt that this particular sky-high price will leave a bad taste in my mouth for a while – or at least until I spot a Dh700 soup on another menu.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store