Normal opening hours are 9.00 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4.00- 8.00 p.m. although many shops in Dubai stay open all day. Most large shopping centres open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and some supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Many shops and shopping centres are open on Friday, the Islamic day of rest, but close for prayers between 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

Dubai has many large shopping centres / malls, that have international stores and food courts and benefit from air conditioning. When it has been completed, the Dubai Mall, part of the Burj Dubai development, will be the largest in the world. The large purpose-built shopping malls, such as City Centre, Lamcy Plaza, Al Ghurair City, Mercato Mall, Oasis Centre and Wafi Centre that have international stores, theatres, gaming arcades, and food courts. Two more shopping malls have recently opened, the Mall of Emirates, which boasts the world's third largest indoor ski slope, and the Ibn Battuta Mall. Soon to overtake the Mall of Emirates as the world's largest will be the Dubai Mall, part of the Burj Dubai development that will be home to the tallest building in the world when completed.

For true shop-a-holics, Dubai even has a festival devoted to shopping. It takes place in July and August and promises many activities and entertainments. More information is available on the official website: www.mydsf.com