Now in its 27th year, Dubai Shopping Festival will run until the end of January. Photo: DSF
Now in its 27th year, Dubai Shopping Festival will run until the end of January. Photo: DSF
Now in its 27th year, Dubai Shopping Festival will run until the end of January. Photo: DSF
Now in its 27th year, Dubai Shopping Festival will run until the end of January. Photo: DSF

Dubai Shopping Festival offers VAT-free promotion to ring in new year


Evelyn Lau
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Shoppers looking for a good bargain this season can take advantage of the Dubai Shopping Festival’s VAT-free promotion, which started on Monday and runs until next Sunday.

This means anyone who purchases any items online or in-store from Club Apparel brands and 6thStreet.com will get the VAT covered by the store.

Brands taking part include ACO Price, Aeropostale, Aldo, Aldo Accessories, Anne Klein, Ardene, Athlete's Co, BBZ, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Birkenstock, Call It Spring, Calvin Klein, CCC, Charles & Keith, Crocs, Dune London, HEMA Amsterdam, Herschel, Hush Puppies, Inglot, La Vie En Rose, Lakeland, LC Waikiki, Levi's, Moreschi, Naturalizer, Nautica, Nine West, R&B, Rituals, Skechers, Skyzone, The Children's Place, Tommy Hilfiger and Toms.

Now in its 27th year, DSF will run until the end of January. Expect shopping deals, concerts, nightly shows, family entertainment, outdoor markets and pop-up dining. There will also be a programme of events at Expo 2020 Dubai to coincide with the event.

On December 15, the festival opened with a concert performance by Emirati-Yemeni pop star Balqees Fathi and Egyptian singer Mohamed Hamaki at Burj Park, with more than 5,000 people in attendance.

  • Balqees Fathi performs at the Dubai Shopping Festival opening at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
    Balqees Fathi performs at the Dubai Shopping Festival opening at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National
  • The Emirati-Yemeni singer is known for her melodious but powerful vocals.
    The Emirati-Yemeni singer is known for her melodious but powerful vocals.
  • Fans enjoying the DSF opening concert.
    Fans enjoying the DSF opening concert.
  • Balqees is a regular and popular performer at UAE events.
    Balqees is a regular and popular performer at UAE events.
  • Egyptian singer Mohamed Hamaki was the other act at the concert.
    Egyptian singer Mohamed Hamaki was the other act at the concert.
  • More than 5,000 people were at the event.
    More than 5,000 people were at the event.
  • The performances were accompanied by vibrant lights and special effects.
    The performances were accompanied by vibrant lights and special effects.
  • A view of Burj Park on the opening day of DSF.
    A view of Burj Park on the opening day of DSF.
  • Food trucks and stands at Burj Park.
    Food trucks and stands at Burj Park.
  • A food truck by celebrity chef CznBurak.
    A food truck by celebrity chef CznBurak.
  • Dubai Shopping Festival runs until January 30.
    Dubai Shopping Festival runs until January 30.

Also setting the tone for the event were a plethora of performance artists, augmented reality stage shows, dancing fountains and a vibrant light show at Burj Khalifa, proving that DSF has evolved to become so much more than a retail event.

This year, for instance, shoppers and visitors to the various participating malls and outlets across Dubai can also enjoy daily fireworks displays, outdoor markets, pop-up dining venues and a number of other live concerts for the 47-day duration of DSF.

"Over the years, DSF has played a significant role in growing Dubai’s reputation as one of the best cities to live in, work and visit by showcasing its breadth of offers from shopping and cultural experiences to world-class dining and entertainment," said Ahmed AlKhaja, chief executive of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

"This year, the packed calendar of DSF events not only demonstrates our ability to safely welcome visitors from across the world, but supports domestic tourism and further strengthens our position as a global retail destination."

– This article was first published on December 24, 2021

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Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021

Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.

Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.

Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.

Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.

Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.

Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.

Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”

Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI. 

Updated: December 27, 2021, 1:28 PM