Introduction to Dubai Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, and the largest in terms of total area. Home to the world’s tallest structure, the 2,716.5-foot (828-meter) high Burj Khalifa, Dubai is known for its extravagance and luxury. It is the shopping capital of the Middle East, with enormous malls, with more than 1,200 stores. Demographics Dubai has a population of 3.137 million (as of 2018), but only 15% are natives: The remaining 85% are expatriates, according to World Population Review. The ratio of men to women in Dubai is also disproportionately large: 75% of the population is male and 25% female. Dubai is also a popular stop-over for international travel: According to the official portal of the UAE government, in 2016 Dubai had 14.9 million overnight visitors. Top Five Shopping Districts

1. The Dubai Mall: One of the largest malls in the world and home to more than 1,200 shops, 120 cafes and restaurants, 22 cinema screens, a luxury hotel, an aquarium, a zoo and an ice rink – and close to nine million square feet of retail space. Stores are clustered in categories: Luxury stores are all in one area; for more traditionally Middle Eastern items an area called the Souk is the place to go. (Souk is an Arabic word usually used to refer to a traditional marketplace).
2. Wafi Mall: Stepping into Wafi Mall is like entering a museum. Shoppers will find a plethora of art in the form of sculptures, stained-glass ceilings and even decorative staircase railings. Wafi Mall offers a traditional marketplace, with its own version of a souk in the basement that sells Arab handicrafts and décor.
3. Diera Gold Souk: Located in Old Dubai, this market area is dedicated to selling gold, with more than 300 jewelry retailers. There are many other spots in Dubai that sell gold and other precious metals as well as gems, but the best prices and bargains can be found at Diera Gold Souk – in addition to the opportunity to experience a traditional marketplace.
4. Bur Dubai Souk: Known for its textiles, Bur Dubai Souk is dedicated to all types of fabrics, including velvet, silk, satin, cashmere and wool. The most popular textiles are Indian saris, Kashmir pashminas and Persian carpets. Shoppers can buy the fabric they like then take it to a local tailor for custom-made garments.
5. BurJuman Centre: The BurJuman Centre features many of the luxury brands available in Dubai.

Famous Retail Events Dubai Shopping Festival: The city’s biggest shopping event, the Dubai Shopping Festival starts in late December with a 12-hour sale in which stores offer discounts of up to 90% and continues through into February – more than six weeks of deals. Some malls open early and stay open till midnight during the first week to give shoppers a chance to make the most of the festival. Dubai Summer Surprises: From late June into early August, the city holds Dubai Summer Surprises, a festival of shopping and entertainment. Retailers and entertainment spots offer discounts, luxury hotels create special packages and reduce room rates for tourists. 10 Innovative Retailers [caption id="attachment_92801" align="alignright" width="458"] Source: strollerpark.com[/caption] Stroller Park Stroller Park is in JustKidding’s Gold & Diamond Park outlet and offers an innovative way to try out strollers from multiple well-known brands such as Joolz, Recaro and Bugaboo. The store developed the Stroller Coaster, a roller coaster integrated into the store so consumers can test different strollers. Customers can also try them out on different surfaces, and the store will assemble and deliver the stroller at no additional cost. Location: Gold & Diamond Park, Building 7, Dubai.   [caption id="attachment_92802" align="alignright" width="436"] Source: comptoir102.com[/caption] Comptoir102 Compotoir102 was started by Emmanuelle Sawko, a Parisienne whose idea was to offer a new shopping experience and combine fashion and décor with healthy foods, a concept she dubbed “boho-chic.” Comptoir102 has won the Harper’s Bazaar Design Award for the best furniture shop in the region. The store was launched in 2012 and offers a variety of products such as apparel, furniture and décor curated from around the world, plus an organic café. Location: 102 Beach Road, Jumeriah 1, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92803" align="alignright" width="431"] Source: amongstfew.com[/caption] Amongst Few Amongst Few is a streetwear retailer started by Florian Moser and Michael Taylor, who used their combined British, Jamaican, Austrian and Australian backgrounds to develop this concept store. The brand sells simple merchandise such as t-shirts and sweats. Amongst Few has only a few articles of clothing that feature graphics, as the company keeps branding minimal and prefers its graphics on the back. In 2015, the company released a collection inspired by the Middle Eastern lifestyle, using a traditional Ghotra print. The store is deliberately plain to keep the focus on the clothing. Location: Palm Strip, Jumeriah Beach Road, Jumeriah 1, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92804" align="alignright" width="419"] Source: samsung.com[/caption] Samsung Dubai Mall Samsung has created a store for consumers to test out and experience electronic products. The multi-experience store covers 9,149 square feet (850 square meters) and has multiple “experience zones.” The Gaming Zone features a large QLED TV connected to an Xbox as well as gaming chairs to replicate the full experience of playing on Samsung’s QLED TV. The Connected Living Zone lets customers connect their mobile devices to multiple appliances such as washing machines, televisions, refrigerators and more to see how they can use smart home technology. For example, the washing machine will send a text when the laundry is done while the refrigerator automatically creates a grocery list based on what’s inside. There is also a Photo Wall, where shoppers can create their own augmented-reality emojis, take and customize selfies. The Samsung team also hosts workshops and training sessions for new devices. Location: The Dubai Mall, Second Floor, Financial Center Road, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92805" align="alignright" width="418"] Source: instagram.com[/caption] Design 971 Design 971 is also located in the Dubai Mall. The store curates a wide variety of pieces from local designers — from furniture to art to fashion. It operates on a rotating basis: Every two months the current group of six designers showcased in the store are swapped out for a new set of designers. Location: The Dubai Mall, Financial Center Road, Dubai.   [caption id="attachment_92811" align="alignright" width="424"] Source: thecartel.ae[/caption] The cARTel The cARTel, launched by May Barber in 2012, is a fashion gallery for unique and edgy brands. The store is streamlined and very spacious, filled with apparel and accessories. Barber worked with more than 160 brands and focuses on displaying emerging talent. An area called The Box is dedicated to collaborations for up-and-coming designers. The Box is also used as a platform for short videos of cARTel collections. There is also a coffee bar where shoppers can take a break and speak with a professional stylist who can assist in shopping. Location: Building Number 9, Shop Number 105, Dubai Design District, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92806" align="alignright" width="410"] Source: imagesretailme.com [/caption] Corcel Corcel is owned by Swedish expat Christian Frealdsson, who was inspired by stores such as KITH in New York and Colette (now closed) in Paris. He created a clean store layout with interesting brands such as Aime Leon Dore, Wood Wood, Pigalle, DON hats and more popular brands such as Adidas and Nike. The store, located in the heart of the Dubai Design District, is flooded with light both through the windows and from its many decorative white lights. Architect Tarik Zaharna worked with lighting solutions firm Fagerhult on the design. Location: Building 3, United R-03, Dubai Design District, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92807" align="alignright" width="470"] Source: discoverlexus.com[/caption] Intersect by Lexus Intersect by Lexus is a combination of retail store and car showroom, as well as a café. This multi-purpose space is entirely surrounded by bamboo-like walls. The first-floor café covers 1,850 square feet (172 square meters) and serves comfort food plus a variety of seafood and meats. In partnership with RAW, it carries new and exclusive coffees each season. Downstairs, a 500-square-foot (45.5-square-meter) garage features a wall built entirely out of Lexus cars. Inside, 1,500 small models display the history of the brand, while three full-size Lexus models take up the rest of the space. The boutique carries handmade Roberu travel bags, Kaneko Optical sunglasses, Tamaki Nimme shawls and more. Intersect has also curated a library of books focused on English, Japanese and Arabic design, art, literature, lifestyle and architecture that can be read in the dining area. Location: Dubai International Financial Center, Gat Village 7, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92808" align="alignright" width="390"] Source: instagram.com[/caption] The Edit   The Edit is an experience more than a retail store, started by Rumana Nazim. She wantd to make the store feel like a home — a place people can feel comfortable and relaxed. The shop carries products from six brands from London, Australia and Los Angeles, along with housware from Dubai and art from India. The pieces have a large price range, ensuring every shopper can walk out of the store with something. Rumana has an in-store café that serves coffees and healthy snacks, as well as a lounge for customers to hold meetings, relax or drink coffee. On the top floor is an open space for workshops, seminars, pop-ups and yoga classes. Location: Villa 966, AL Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai. [caption id="attachment_92813" align="alignright" width="382"] Source: dubaidesigndistrict.com[/caption] Yui and Frame Yui and Frame are two separate stores connected to each other in the Dubai Design District. Yui is a restaurant serving ramen, its specialty, as well as homemade egg noodles and local chicken. Frame, the boutique next door, was one of the first stores in the Middle East to focus on the Japanese lifestyle. It sells everything from menswear and womenswear to plants and food items. Location: Building 7, Ground Floor, R03, Dubai Design District, Dubai. Must-See Area: Dubai Design District   The Dubai Design District, more commonly known as d3, is the hub of design, art and culture, with creativity on every corner. D3 aims to provide an area for emerging talent and original ideas. It is the trendiest neighborhood in Dubai and hosts multiple events throughout the year for lovers of design and fashion.

1. Amato: The UAE’s first global-couture fashion brand, unconventional and chic.
2. Closet Case: The first concept store in Dubai, it stocks Asian and European designer menswear, as well as unisex fashion.
3. Hands: Since 1881, it has been making fine crafted carpets and rugs — unique and detailed pieces.
4. Montroi: A luggage brand known for lightness and durability, it also offers leather bags, briefcases, backpacks and more.
5. The Lighthouse: A store of handpicked items, very minimalistic and functional, with products such as glassware, travel and lifestyle accessories, as well as books.