Dubai loves to shop. The city has just about perfected the art of the mall, which is the de facto air-conditioned ‘town commons’, the place to go with the family, hang out with friends, and take in some entertainment. So what kind of goods should you look for? We’ve got the lowdown.
Gold
Dubai is a major gold trading hub and home to the glittering Gold Souq, which specializes in Middle Eastern and Indian jewellery, but also has some contemporary European designs. The Gold & Diamond Park, meanwhile, offers more modern surroundings and a greater variety of European looks. Retail prices for gold jewellery are generally lower in Dubai than in countries such as the UK, India, and China due to lower making charges, smaller retailer margins, and lower duties and taxes. Consequently, the final price of a piece of jewellery often depends on your haggling skills. It is wise to check the day’s gold rate — which is set internationally with local prices updated two to three times a day and displayed on electronic signs in the souq — and to negotiate on the making charge and mark-up.
Carpets
Dubai is a carpet lover’s paradise. Fine Persian carpets, colourful Turkish and Kurdish kilims, and rough-knotted Bedouin rugs abound. The city boasts a reputation in the region for offering the highest-quality carpets at the best prices. Moreover, bargaining is commonplace.
A rug’s quality relies on the processing of its wool. For instance, while a rug may be hand-knotted, inferior wool will compromise its value. The finest wool comes from high-altitude sheep, producing dense, long-staple fleece laden with lanolin. It is essential that no acids are applied to the carpet; otherwise, the lanolin will wash away. This natural lanolin results in stain-resistant, lustrous fibres that do not shed. Look for dyes that are plant-based pigments which guarantee saturated, rich colours with unparalleled depth and vibrancy compared to synthetic alternatives. The dyeing process involves hand-spinning wool into thread, which may have occasional lumps challenging the craftsmanship of the weaver. These slight variations in a finished carpet’s pattern lend character and enhance its overall value.
While dealers may place emphasis on knot density, weave quality, and country of origin, the most important factor remains how the wool was treated. Rugs made from acid-treated wool quickly lose their original appearance, while properly made rugs will grow more vibrant and lustrous over time and are built to last centuries.
To distinguish quality, stand on the rug wearing rubber-soled shoes and twist your feet. If the fibres shed, the wool is of poor quality. Before heading to the shops, consider researching rugs online to get a sense of what appeals to you. Once at the stores, plan to relax and enjoy tea as you browse through numerous carpets; this experience can be very enjoyable, but be cautious not to show excessive enthusiasm, as it may hinder bargaining opportunities.
Perfume
Lower taxes mean French brands are typically cheaper in Dubai than in Paris; however, it is crucial to verify the authenticity of the packaging. With Middle Eastern attars (perfumes), you can be confident that no other person in the room will be wearing the same scent. However, shopping for perfume can overwhelm your sense of smell quickly. If you’re seeking Middle Eastern fragrances, follow the tips of top perfumers to neutralize your olfactory palate: close your mouth and make three forceful exhalations through your nose, blasting the air in short bursts using your diaphragm.
Pashminas
Fakes are prevalent globally, but in Dubai, you can discover genuine bargains on luxurious, silky-soft 100% pashmina shawls. Women across the globe adore pashminas, the feather-light cashmere shawls cherished by the Middle East’s most stylish ladies. Therefore, if you’re seeking a gift for a girlfriend or your mother, you cannot go wrong with a pashmina. They come in countless colors and styles, with some being beaded and embroidered, while others sport pompom edging — you’ll easily find one that appeals to you.
To ensure authenticity, hold the fabric at its corner, loop your index finger around it, and squeeze tightly. Pull the fabric through; if it’s polyester, it won’t budge, but cashmere will pull through — albeit with a potential mild case of rope burn. Consider trying it at home with a thin piece of polyester before you head to the shops, followed by the cashmere test. You’ll be less likely to be fooled again.
Dates
The de rigeur gift for any proper gourmet, Bateel dates are the ultimate luxury food of the Middle East. At first glance, Bateel appears like a jewellery store, featuring polished-glass display cases and halogen pin spots illuminating the goods. A closer inspection reveals exquisitely aligned pyramids of dates — thousands of them. Bateel plays to its audience with stunning packaging that might leave the recipient of your gift anticipating gold or silver inside: the fancy lacquered wooden boxes are worth far more than their contents, yet they are manufactured in China. Nevertheless, the dates originate from Saudi Arabia, where the sandy, alkaline soil and extreme heat create ideal growing conditions. Quality control is stringent, as Bateel operates its own farms and production facilities. The dates here are notably large and juicy, with delectably moist centers.
With a 70% sugar content, dates boast an apparent unlimited shelf life; however, they taste finest around the autumn harvest. Seek out agwa dates during your visit; they are considered a delicacy as the trees yield only every few years, making them quite rare. Look for agwa in September, while other varieties become available in November.
Supermarket Souvenirs
Shopping at Spinneys, Carrefour, and Choithrams is a delightful experience, as the shelves are overflowing with international foodstuffs. Notably, look for cardamom-flavored condensed milk — it’s worth the extra luggage space and enhances coffee immensely. Pour Natco rose syrup over sorbet or vanilla ice cream to impress dinner-party guests. The supermarket also serves as a fantastic spot to obtain spices like saffron, which is usually more affordable than in other countries. To fully appreciate saffron’s aroma, soak it in warm cooking water or broth before adding it to your dish. While you’re in the spice aisle, keep an eye out for zaatar, a blend of thyme, sesame, marjoram, and oregano, which can add delightful flavor to soups, salads, or stews.
