Retailers at the Deira City Center (DCC) have witnessed increased traffic to their stores during the Dubai Summer Surprises 2002 (DDS) promotion and most stores have also recorded improved sales, according to a press release by DDC, part of the Majid Al-Futtaim Group.
Commenting on the reported results of DSS, Sandy Mercer, DCC marketing manager, said that the Group's key sponsorship is driven by ongoing activities and events that are scheduled to run the course of the summer promotion.
In support of government endeavors to promote Dubai as a summer destination, DCC has planned a calendar of entertainment and leisure activities for visitors, she stated. “Almost all our retailers have recorded increased sales during the last few weeks. Visitors who come to watch the in-mall entertainment stay back to shop and vice versa," she observed.
Apart from daily events, games, competitions and prizes for visitors to DCC, many retailers at the center are also running special offers, sales and in-store promotions. The Sun and Sand Sports outlet in DCC has reported an increase in both visitors and sales since the onset of the promotion in June. Group Retail Manager Shakeel Hussain accredits it to both the store's recently concluded sale and the activities organized by the mall management.
Hussain said that while the percentage of increase in sales would only be determined after DSS, it was very evident that a large number of overseas Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visitors are visiting the center.
"DCC is already one of Dubai's most popular venues and particularly so in the summer when families cannot visit parks or outdoor areas. The DSS promotion and activities at the center is extra beneficial for retailers like us," Shajan Thomas, store manager at Brantano Shoe City, said.
Costa Coffee, the café located in the shopping center's City Walk complex admits to serving more than 1,500 customers each day, since the summer promotion commenced. Costa Coffee’s clients comprise not only regular customers but also a large number of overseas visitors.
DCC is one of the biggest shopping centers in the Middle East, and its most popular, with over 285 stores and over 1.1 million square foot of retail space. As well as offering a great shopping experience, DCC is also home to Sofitel City Center Hotel, the 11-screen multiplex, Cinestar, Magic Planet family entertainment center, City Walk—an eating and leisure retailing boulevard and Arabian Treasures—an enclosed ‘souk' featuring 14 unique shops. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
