Abu Dhabi Summer Shopping and Dining Season sees 56% spike in customer spending
The successful campaign saw several first-in-the-region promotions and interactive experiences, including Summer of Style, Summer of Ice Cream, and Summer of Offer
This year, Abu Dhabi Summer Shopping and Dining Season defied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by recording impressive growth in retail spending.
Led by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi’s industry enablers, Retail Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Culinary summer campaign achieved a record 56 per cent year-on-year growth in sales using visa cards alone across 24 malls and 4,000 stores. Visa was the strategic partner of Abu Dhabi Shopping and Dining Season.
“We are delighted by the extraordinary results that have been achieved. This successful seasonal campaign has again demonstrated the strength of the emirate’s retail and culinary sectors, as well as confirming DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to delivering compelling experiences across our ever-expanding calendar of themed promotions and events,” said Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi.
The successful campaign saw several first-in-the-region promotions and interactive experiences, including Summer of Style, Summer of Ice Cream, and Summer of Offers.
The highlights of Summer of Style included a stylists’ programme featuring appearances from global trendsetters like Anna Dello Russo and Anya Ziourova; a fashion gala dinner with music icon Rita Ora; Summer Sessions, a full week of home styling and fashion workshops and a line-up of exclusive pieces from luxury brands including Burberry, Dior, Fendi and more.
Summer of Ice Cream included the region’s first Ice Cream Lab pop-up at Yas Mall, where the Guinness World Record was broken for the ‘Most Varieties of Ice cream on Display’. The initiative also included an exciting line-up of international, new-to-region brands such as Dyce, Pan-n-Ice and Eiswelt Gelato.
Abu Dhabi Culinary engaged with more than 30 restaurants to deliver exclusive summer menus, alongside collaborations with renowned chef Reif Othman and Emirati culinary master Faisal as part of the ‘Food Forward Series’.
As part of the strategic partnership with Visa, customers were incentivised to spend AED 200 or more, using their Visa card, at all participating outlets for a chance to win a brand-new car.
