Flash sale surprises some shoppers

Flash sale at selected stores in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai on Friday.

People in Dubai love to shop. And they know when to prey - even if they're not expecting to do it.
The Dubai Shopping Festival - the emirate's biggest retail bonanza - got even zanier with Majid Al-Futtaim's first-ever half-day-only flash sale at its malls - Deira City Centre, Mirdiff City Centre, Mall of the Emirates and the newly-opened City Centre Me'aisem.
From 12 noon to 12 midnight on Friday - the first day of the DSF - participating outlets placed signs offering up to 90 per cent discounts on select items, much to the delight of the New Year's Day crowd.
"It seems not everyone - including I - were aware of it, but it was a pleasant surprise," Crystal, a receptionist working in Dubai, who was at City Centre Deira on Friday evening, told Khaleej Times.
She described the crowd at that time "more than the typical Friday" crush you'd expect at the mall in a weekend - although spending more time there made it noticeable that people have been jumping from shop to shop, apparently looking for the best deals.
Others who were fully aware of it didn't mind a long travel.
"I read about it in the paper and I thought it was perfect timing for the New Year," Najma, a resident in Dubai's Al Nahda area who went all the way to Mall of the Emirates said.
The crowd there, she says, is just "buzzing".
Khaleej Times tried to speak to participating retailers at the flash sale, but they declined to comment until after the event is over.
One source, however, said that their store is "excited for this unique promotion, and looks forward to more of the same in the future".
alvin@khaleejtimes.com