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Dubai - Shopping Shopping Featured Sites : Al Bustan Shopping Center Open Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Dubai Duty Free Open 24 Hours per day at Dubai Airport Jacky's Electronics For opening hours Contact Jacky's Dubai has many attractions for visitors and one of its greatest is its superb shopping. Indeed, the city draws large numbers of "shopping tourists" from countries within the region and as far afield as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Subcontinent. As an open port with low import duties, Dubai's retail prices are reasonable and the variety of products available matches that of any other major international city. Freed from taxes imposed elsewhere, many top brand name products are cheaper in Dubai than in their country of origin. Whatever the visitor's tastes -- couture from Paris or Milan, hi-tech from Japan, or a piece of silver bedouin jewellery -- he or she will find it at the right price in Dubai. Souks Souks have been called "the heart of urban Arabia", and Dubai has plenty. These range from the traditional, dusty, alleyways of the spice souk, a stone's throw from the Creek, to the modern fish souk with the many varieties caught in Gulf waters and the fruit and vegetable souk with its bustle and vivid colours. Dubai's most famous market of all is the gold souk, where narrow streets are lined with shop windows glinting with bracelets, necklaces and ear-rings in 18, 21 and 22 carats. Bars of 24 carat in any form and weight and bullion coins in 24 and 22 carat are also available. Prices are very reasonable and largely determined by weight, rather than design and craftsmanship. In Deira Tower's shopping mall, traders in carpets from countries across the Gulf -- Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan -- have established a carpet souk where prices in the 40 shops range from a few hundred dirhams to many thousands. Across the Creek, Al Fahidi Street is noted for its electronics goods shops while, nearby, Cosmos Lane is lined with stores selling the textiles of west and east, from cool printed cottons to exotic brocades. Further out from the city centre, Karama is Dubai's bargain basement with an array of busy shops selling toys, household goods, textiles, fashions, accessories and much more. Shopping Malls Attractive modern shopping plazas are conveniently located throughout the city, housing a wide range of shops, boutiques, supermarkets, restaurants and fast food outlets. Leading malls in the Deira district include Al Mulla Plaza, the Inter.Continental Plaza, Abu Hail Shopping Centre, The Galleria, Al Ghurair Centre, The City Centre, The Al Manal Centre, The Center and Hamarain Centre. On the Dubai side of the Creek, the Wafi Mall, Bur Juman Centre, and Holiday Centre are among the largest complexes. The Jumeirah district has Magrudy's Shopping Mall, Markaz Al Jumeirah and The Beach Centre. In addition, there are many top class department stores and boutiques throughout the city. Dubai Duty Free Launched in 1983 by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Dubai Duty Free has won numerous international awards and ranks among the largest duty free operations in the world. Thirty four shops in the departures complex are complemented by the Arrivals Duty Free shop. All outlets operate under the policy of the DCA to put passenger servicebefore profit. The gold shop accounts for about 20% of the total annual turnover, while other outlets sell liquor, tobacco, electronics, computer software, perfumes, tapes, toys, textiles, leather, sports equipment, ladies' and men's wear, watches, pens, lighters, sunglasses, gifts from Dubai, books, crystal and cameras. The popular Food Plus offers everything from caviar to chocolate and household goods to hand cream. Shopping Hours Normal shopping hours in Dubai are from 9am to 1pm and 4pm until 9pm or later. Some boutiques in the residential areas do not open until 9.30 or 10.00am. Most supermarkets stay open all day, from Saturday to Thursday. All shops close for prayers on Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Shopping malls and most shops are open on Friday evenings until late. Tips for shoppers Bargaining is part of the fun of shopping in Dubai. While boutiques, some electronics shops, department stores and supermarkets may operate on a fixed price basis, most other outlets consider friendly negotiation as a way of life. The Dubai shopping scene offers something for everyone. Apart from competitively priced electronic products, watches, cameras and other international items, popular traditional gifts include: Arabic coffee pots Silver and brass swords and khanjars (Arabic curved daggers) Prayer beads Soapstone figures Coasters, letter racks, jewellery boxes, chests etc decorated with lapislazuli, turquoise, malachite and other semi-precious stones Marble goblets Silver antique jewellery Brass items Silver and wooden dhows Persian carpets and cotton dhurries (oblong floor coverings).