Step into the delightful destination of Dubai and you will find global traction for every brand in fashion and retail sector. From dazzling local designers to chic haute couture, from vintage collections and latest trends to luxury pieces, the best of the lot find a deserving presence in Dubai.

With good reason, Dubai is in the spotlight as the luxury Fashion Hub of the world. Apart from offering a chance to shop everything to the multitude of Dubai-based and tourist buyers, Dubai also offers a great many events at a large scale to the fashion and retail industry to flourish.

Events such as the Dubai Shopping Festival, not only present a huge opportunity to the buyers to find myriad collections in one place but also empower the fashion and retail industry in a great way.

EMPOWERING RETAIL SECTOR
Statista Market Forecast had projected revenue of US $ 2,337 million in 2021, growing at an annual growth rate of 11.88% by 2025 to reach a projected market volume of $3,662 million, for the fashion and retail industry in UAE. The retail industry suffered a drop of 12% during the pandemic. However, it was quick to digitize the industry and the e-commerce sales transactions led to a twofold increase since 2019 to about 30% in February 2021. Many consumer market surveys have reported a revival of the fashion and retail industry all across UAE, even after the devastating effects of the pandemic. So, why is Dubai the hub of the fashion and retail industry? Why is the Dubai retail and fashion industry looking at a revival post-pandemic so quickly and efficiently?

HOME TO GLOBAL HAUTE COUTURE
Dubai plays host to many fashion brands, from world-famous fashion mavens to lesser-known upcoming designers. It is also home to the largest retail shopping mall in the world. The government has various policies and strategies in place that encourage tourism and foreign and local spending habits. This makes it easier and provides higher scope for new retail outlets to set foot in Dubai as well as for the existing ones to expand well.

There are also huge multi-brand stores that carry not just high-end or luxury fashion but also upcoming and new designers. This boosts the optimism in retail and fashion. From concept stores with artistic lifestyle options curated by experts, to huge global events that offer the opportunity for each hierarchy in fashion and retail to mingle, Dubai offers a variety in retail and fashion to creators like no other.

WORLD-CLASS SHOWS & DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL BUZZ
This is why one often finds internationally famous designers such as Kat Von D, Dior, Chanel, Armani, and others opening their flagship stores and outlets in Dubai. The Chanel Cruise 2021/22 collection is a testament to Dubai being the shopping mecca.The show, by creative director Virginie Viard, was first unveiled virtually in May due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it was shown to a live audience for the first time in Dubai in November 2021. Dubai stands witness to fashion events and shows all year round. Dubai Shopping Festival has one of its most important annual events, the Etisalat Market Outside the Box (MOTB), which offers a huge platform for designers across the world to showcase their collections and exhibitions. It mixes a beautiful cocktail of live entertainment, experiential dining, and retail, which makes the buzz around the event all the more attractive. Designers such as Ayesha Depala, Varoin Marwah, VMXV, and others are some of the designers associated with the MOTB.

ONE-OF-A-KIND: EXPERIENTIAL COUTURE OUTLETS
Dubai is known for its outlet and boutique trends in retail. Places like The Cartel, which is an art gallery and boutique, offer a unique shopping experience that combines avant-grande global names in fashion with cult hard-to-find designers. The shopping experience here is about making the customer a part of the constant discovery and bespoke vision. Dubai also has boutiques that offer experiences in lifestyle shopping.

Bringing to life the joy of holistic luxury, Bayt Damas is a complete and unique experiential journey that combines art, luxury fashion including accessories in an exquisite platter. Indian couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee has set up his collections in a special room dedicated to him, with the likes of Graff and Scott West, in Bayt Damas, bringing the regal Indian craftsmanship to Dubai. One can find the influences and inspirations from around the city in the designs of many global and local designers in Dubai.

The fact that the retail outlets in Dubai showcase the eclectic and regal collections of home-grown designers along with the global icons is proof that Dubai is not merely a spectator but a creative player in the global fashion and retail industry.

For more information, simply log onto: www.visitduabi.com