Retail Therapy in Dubai: Shop till you drop Dubai hosts two shopping extravaganzas held annually: The Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Summer Surprises. The festivals prepare the emirate for a steady tourist inflow throughout the year. Promoting Dubai has been the responsibility, chiefly, of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), which along with the emirate's other attractions, also highlights DSF and DSS at its various roadshows. The Dubai Shopping Festival, which flags off in January (this year, in December) is a month-long shopping, cultural, entertainment extravaganza that also showcases the famed Global Village (which

is now open through November to March). The Dubai Summer Surprises is a two-month festival calendar that falls through summer and is largely based in the shopping malls.

Here is a brief list of some of the major shopping malls in Dubai:

Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the Emirates is the largest shopping centre outside of North America . Strategically located in the heart of what is now deemed 'New Dubai,' this 223,000 square metre centre offers a full range of shopping, leisure, and entertainment.
Mall of the Emirates is home to over 400 retailers and also features a complete range of entertainment options including Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski destination in the Middle East, a two-level Magic Planet, the largest indoor family entertainment centre in the country, a 14-screen Cinestar Cinemas and the Dubai Community Arts and Theatre with a 500 seat-theatre and art gallery.

Ibn Battuta Mall
Ibn Battuta Mall is located adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road between Interchanges 5 and 6. The Mall combines retail, entertainment, restaurant and family activities all within a uniquely themed environment. The inspiration for the theme of Ibn Battuta Mall is the legendary Arab explorer Ibn Battuta. The unique design of the shopping mall and separately themed courts are based on his travels through Asia and the Middle East .
Each of the six courts is themed on a country and a shopping zone to reflect Ibn Battuta's travels through Andalusia, Tunisia , Egypt , Persia, India and China .

Mercato Mall Mercato, which means market in Italian, is a prestigious shopping destination in Jumeirah, that caters to discerning residents and visitors. The striking and distinctive Renaissance architecture of the mall captures Italian, French and Spanish flavours and characteristics, and fairs and festivals from each country are hosted regularly to animate the themed atmosphere inside. BurJuman Centre The residence of high-fashion, BurJuman showcases the world's leading brands under one roof. With 300 leading stores including Saks 5th Avenue, you'll always be spoilt for choice. Located in the heart of Dubai, the BurJuman Centre is a distinctive landmark which comprises of 800,000 square feet of retail space.

Al Ghurair City
Al Ghurair City was the first modern shopping mall project of its kind in the Middle East. Throughout its 20-year history, Al Ghurair City has acted as a pioneer in the regional retail business. The project is a marvel in construction: A total of 234 gold coloured meshes weighing 345 kgs were used on the ceiling and the complementary floor design is based on 22 tonnes of Terrazzo which was hand made and shipped from Italy and took 1,200 man hours to manually lay.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah At Souk Madinat Jumeirah, meandering paths lead visitors through a bazaar-like atmosphere in which open fronted shops and intimate galleries spill onto the paved walkways. The sounds of craftsmen and women at work combine with the aroma from street cafes and boutique restaurants. Souk Madinat Jumeirah has 75 boutique shops, 23 waterfront cafes, bars and restaurants, open plazas, the Trilogy nightclub, air-conditioned walkways and the 442-seat Madinat Theatre. Deira City Centre Deira City Centre has plenty to offer you - a choice of over 340 superb shops, restaurants, cinemas, fast food outlets, a children's entertainment centre, Sofitel City Centre Hotel, the Jewellery Court, Arabian Treasures, offering home furnishings, antiques, carpets and gift items, and the Textile Court, featuring the latest in fabrics. The mall is a focal point of for the 60,000 shoppers who visit it daily.

Wafi Mall
Established in 1989 the Mall accommodates 225 shops and over 1000 different brands. The mall is a leading outlet for international fashion brands with many exclusive labels including Chanel, Escada, Aigner, Cerruti and Jaegar, among others.

The Village
The Village Dubai in Jumeirah brings the Mediterranean to your doorstop and offers a fine selection of shops and dining outlets. The mall features select clothing, eclectic home furnishing, health facilities and international cuisine.