2005
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Jumbo prize spree
Jumbo Electronics, the UAE's consumer electronics retail giant, is offering prizes including electronic goods, holiday packages and gift vouchers under its Electronics Festival campaign during the Dubai Shopping Festival 2006. Purchases of $68 or more from Jumbo outlets also carry the chance to win one kilogram of gold every week.
Damas pumps for youth
UAE jewellery firm Damas is investing $9m over three years to market a new line of jewellery, called Farfasha, for youths. The line will have 12 initial collections available during the Dubai Shopping Festival, with three added every six months. Prices of items range from $81 to $817.
DSF ready to go
The Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 is expected to attract more than 3.5m visitors during the month-long shopping and entertainment extravaganza. The festival features 115 specific events, including a fireworks display at the end of every day at Al Mamzar Park, Dubai Creek and Global Village. The festival opens on 4 January.
Muscat Festival gears up
Organisers of the Muscat Festival 2006, which will showcase Oman's culture and traditions, are anticipating over 2.3m visitors to the month-long event. The festival starts on 11 January and will feature a number of new activities, including women-only events such as fashion shows.
New ME retail expo
The region's first dedicated retail expo, In Retail, will take place in Dubai from 4-6 June 2006. The Middle East is currently undergoing the biggest increase in floor space ever witnessed in retail history. Retail spending in Saudi alone is expected to increase 28% by 2008.
Dairy price rise
Prices of UAE dairy products will go up by 10% from 1 January, reported Gulf News. The UAE Juice and Dairy Producers Group has reportedly taken the decision after prices of imported materials involved in turning out dairy products went up.
Zabeel Park to open
The Zabeel Park in Dubai, built at a cost of $54.5m, will open on 27 December 2005. The park is spread out in three sections over 116 acres which are linked by pedestrian bridges. It has food courts, an amphitheatre, exhibition areas, and leisure facilities such as a jogging track, mini cricket pitch, and boating.
Unesco plea for UAE forts
The UAE is hoping to get two local forts registered with the Unesco programme to preserve global heritage sites. The Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai and the Al Husn Fort in Ajman are both being put forward for inclusion in the listing, officials told Gulf News.
Montres limited edition watches
Swiss watchmaker Montres Appella has introduced a limited edition collection of watches which it says have been created in memory of the former UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. There have been only 86 timepieces created, with each representing a year in the life of the UAE's founding father.
Marine market buoyant
The regional luxury marine market is exceptionally buoyant, with Bahrain and Oman tipped for strong growth, according to boat distributor Leisure Marine Middle East. LMME's first craft arrived in Dubai this week, and the company is opening offices in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
DDF, instant millionaires
Dubai Duty Free is marking its 22nd birthday today by giving two travellers the chance to win $1m each in its millionaire draw promotion at Dubai airport. In addition, most duty free goods will be discounted by 22% as part of the celebrations.
Sitra Mall, first time products
Bahrain's $26.6m Sitra Mall, due to open in February 2006, will have international brands and franchises which will be new to the Gulf, according to a government official. The mall has a hypermarket, over 100 shops, restaurants and an indoor recreational centre.
Circus Oz for DSF
Australia's Circus Oz will put on shows at the Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 from 11-13 January, according to sponsors Mashreqbank. The circus has performed in more than 26 countries to over two million people, including a record-breaking tour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Safeer Mall opens Jan 4
The Safeer Mall on the Dubai-Sharjah highway will open on January 4 with 500,000 sqft of shopping area and 130 stores. The top floor is devoted to Space City, one of the largest amusement arcades in the UAE and an ajoining 12-outlet food court.
DSF releases concert programme
The Dubai Shopping Festival, which runs from January 4 to February 4, will feature a series of high-profile concerts: Nancy Ajram on January 12; Bryan Adams on February 2; Fatboy Slim on January 5; Anu Malik and Iranian singer Darius both on January 12; rock band Junoon on February 2; and Lebanese singer Fairuz on February 19.
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