As top retailers launch their Fall/Winter 2018 fashion collections in stores in Dubai, UAE, this month, the city’s retail scene continues to thrive due to its position as a world-class shopping destination.

With a robust and extensive retail calendar managed by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), retailers in Dubai are given several opportunities to market their collections.

Many international brands have chosen Dubai to have a presence in the Middle East, with top names such as American Rag, Off-White and Charlotte Tilbury recently launching stores in the city, said a statement from DFRE.

In addition to the strong retail sector, Dubai’s ongoing tourism efforts continue to draw visitors from across the globe who are keen on experiencing everything the city has to offer. 

For the fourth year running, Dubai has ranked fourth among the world's most popular destinations for international travellers according to MasterCard’s Global Destination Cities Index 2018. With the city welcoming 15.79 million overnight visitors last year and ranking a projected growth rate of 5.5 per cent, Dubai is expected to witness another year of steady expansion in 2018, it said.

Key seasons such as Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter enable retailers to showcase their latest collections from famous global brands to Dubai’s shoppers, it added.

Ahmed Al Khaja, chief executive officer, DFRE, said: “Dubai has a strong reputation internationally as an exciting shopping destination, and this is evidenced by the increased number of visitors we’ve witnessed over the years.”

“With its unique retail concepts, interesting local designers and world-class malls, it’s no surprise that the global retailers are turning their attention to Dubai to showcase their brands,” he said.

“Together with our strategic partners, we have a full calendar of events and festivals to help support Dubai’s retail industry and ensure the emirate remains the fashion capital in the region,” he added.

Greig Fowler, chief executive officer, AW Rostamani Lifestyle, the distributor of American Eagle, said: “American Rag’s launch in Dubai was a natural choice as the first store whilst planning our GCC roll out over the next five years. We have taken the very successful concept from Los Angeles, US, merged it with technology in a way never done before to set a new benchmark for omni-channel retailing in the GCC.”

“Given Dubai’s multicultural mix of nationalities, diverse businesses, futuristic landscape, it gives the brand both global and local exposure through international and GCC tourists as well as UAE residents. The thirst for individuality and unique fashion here is huge and American Rag is the ideal thirst quencher for those looking to find those hottest trends,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service