Over 3,000 retail outlets are expected to participate in the next edition of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), the mega event that will put the city in a shopping frenzy next month.

Registration doors were opened yesterday for retailers who wish to join the 45-day long extravaganza, and organisers are expecting an overwhelming response from major brands affiliated with 40 shopping malls. "It's too early to disclose (which major brands are joining) but those affiliated with the over 40 shopping malls under the Dubai Shopping Malls Group umbrella are expected to participate," DSF organisers told Gulf News.

With Dubai's major malls and stores like Ibn Battuta, Deira City Center, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman, Al Ghurair City, Spinneys and Mercato sponsoring the event, shoppers are in for more juicy treats that include major discounts, raffles and other enticing offers.

"We are expecting this DSF to be the best ever in the history of the decade-old festival. The number of visitors and the expenditure estimated this time round are higher than the previous editions of DSF," added Said Mohammed Al Dehail of the DSF Registration Office.

Organisers earlier projected the upcoming DSF to rocket sales by 20 per cent. "In the year 2005, the total spend or sales graph showed a whopping Dh6.67 billion and this time we are expecting 20 per cent more than the earlier higher figures," the DSF Registration Office said. The festival runs from December 20 to February 2.