Mall of the Emirates, the world’s first shopping resort, welcomed over 3.3 million people through its doors during the 45-day Dubai Shopping Festival.

“The mall played host to Acrobats, flamenco dancers, Bollywood performers, local Sword dancers, Chinese artists and African dancers amongst many more who thrilled and entertained shoppers daily”, said Fuad Sharaf, General Manager Mall of the Emirates, “The footfall figures during DSF surpassed our initial expectations. Our unique and enticing blend of shopping and leisure including over 450 retailers, the theatre, Ski Dubai and Magic Planet encouraged customers to spend more time in the mall. “On December 30th, the mall also broke its previous daily footfall record by welcoming 127,000 customers into the centre in one day”, added Fuad.

“The influx of tourists during the festival also had a significant impact on driving sale volumes. Our December sales were actually 40% higher than the previous month”.

Mr & Mrs Austen, a British couple in Dubai on their honeymoon received a fantastic beginning to their married life by winning the Mall of the Emirates grand prize from the ‘spend-and-win’ promotion. The ecstatic newlyweds flew home as the owners to a spectacular AED 2.4 million 2 bedroom, luxury apartment in Ocean Heights which is being constructed by leading property developer DAMAC.

To top this phenomenally successful campaign, Mall of the Emirates scooped the DSF 2006-2007 Innovation Award for “Best shopping mall event”. The mall is honored to have been selected for this award which is the ultimate recognition of innovation and business success.”, commented Fuad, “It recognises the enormous amount of in-depth planning, co-ordination and originality which went into the malls numerous events and superb promotions”.

About Mall of the Emirates Mall of the Emirates, the world’s first shopping resort, is located in Dubai at interchange four on Sheikh Zayed Road. There is a dedicated overpass offering access to the mall and 7,000 public parking spaces. It is the latest of the MAF Shopping Mall developments and extends the success of the City Centre brand around the region.

The two-level shopping resort features over 220,000 sqm of department store, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing retailers, a Magic Planet family entertainment area, the largest Carrefour in Dubai, a 14-screen multiplex cinema, Ski Dubai - the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park, a five star Kempinski hotel and over 17,000 sqm dedicated to coffee shops and restaurants. The Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC) has recently opened its doors to the very best entertainment, education and the exploration of all art forms.