DSS summer deals invite retailers to make the best of 10th edition

All retail outlets wishing to participate in the forthcoming 10th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises 2007 can start registering during the one-month long registration period. The 10-week summer celebration, that will provide visitors, tourists, and residents with the best in shopping, winning, and family entertainment, will begin on June 21 and go on till the 31st of August. Retailers in Dubai have already begun preparations to offer DSS visitors a wide array of shopping opportunities.

Registration is open on working days from May 15, 2007 until August 15 between 9am and 3pm at the ground and first floor of the Department of Economic Development. This year's 'Summer Deals' consists of a new participation category for retailers, restaurants, brand distributors, fast food chains and group of companies, whereby they pay a fee and get the opportunity to run multiple offers during DSS. Non-participating retail outlets and restaurants will not be allowed by the Department of Economic Development or the Dubai Municipality to conduct any kind of promotion or sales during this period.

DSS 2006's statistics show that out of the total spend of Dh2.57 billion, shopping accounted for Dh1.35 billion which is 52.5 per cent proving that shopping is a major highlight of the summer event.

Participating outlets have the assured benefits of increased revenue and brand visibility throughout DSS. They will also be provided with a limited number of official DSS point-of-purchase items so they can be identified. These point-of-purchase items can be collected from the DSS Office between June 1 and August 31.

Said Laila Suhail, DSS Executive Project Director, "Based on the success of the Summer Deals promotion launched last year and with the support of our partners this year, the Department of Economic Development and MasterCard we are once again offering the retailers an opportunity for greater business and more exposure. It's their chance to gain a lot from this initiative as we urge retail sponsors to come forward and offer benefits to visitors and shoppers of the special 10th edition of DSS and get benefited in the process by building up a strong client base for the future," she said.

To participate, retail outlets need to fill out application forms available at the DSS Office and submit these with the relevant fees. Payment can be made at the time of registration in cash or by cheque. If the mode of payment is by cheque, it should be made payable to Dubai Summer Surprises. Once the form is submitted, a DSS Participation Certificate will be issued to obtain permission from the Department of Economic Development.

Under the promotion the retailers can participate in the following categories: Single retail outlet/Brand; Chain of retail outlets (single brand, less than or more than five outlets); Group of Companies/Multiple Brands (includes Raffle Promotions/maximum 10 draws); Single restaurant; Chain of restaurants (less than or more than 3 restaurants) and Fast Food Chain (for less than or more than five restaurants and includes Raffle Promotions/maximum 10 draws), Commercial stand/kiosk, advertising papers and online advertising. The Summer Raffle fee (which includes option of running a raffle-based promotion with a maximum of three draws) is applicable for single restaurants/retail outlet/brand, chain of restaurants and retailers (single brand).

All DSS 2007 Key Sponsors owned outlets such as those participating in the shopping malls wide sales are waived from the above fees. However they will have to fill in the form individually for each participating Retail Outlet/Restaurant and comply with the necessary guidelines.