Retail Therapy

DUBLIN TO DUBAI

Dubai is a retail paradise, from bustling souks to vast shopping malls, its sprawling metropolis is a haven for shopaholics.

With more than a hundred malls in an area just over a third of the size of Dublin, A-list celebrities and mere mortals mingle to shop for luxury goods and famous brands.

The biggest mall in Dubai is the Dubai Mall, with an area of more than 50 football fields and boasting more than 1200 shops and service outlets. This huge centre is a major attraction for visitors to the Emirate. Dubai Mall is also home to the largest indoor aquarium globally and is the gateway to the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building.

The Mall of the Emirates opened in 2005 and is conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road. The mall boasts a range of stores from high-end luxury brands to more affordable well-known high street stores. The Mall of the Emirates is not just about retail therapy here you can also enjoy winter snow sports at the fantastic Dubai Ski centre.

One of the newer malls to open its doors is the Nakheel Mall on the Palm Jumeirah. With 300 stores located over five floors and ample parking, this mall has proved hugely popular with residents of The Palm, the famous man-made group of islands, home to ex-pats from all corners of the globe.

Neighbouring Emirate, Abu Dhabi also has excellent shopping opportunities, and new shopping malls are springing up to join the established Abu Dhabi and World Trade Centre Malls. Traditional Arabic goods are a great buy in Abu Dhabi, and you can surprise your friends with unusual gifts such as camel milk chocolate, juicy dates, Persian carpets, and hookah pipes!

As with most things in the UAE, the shopping malls are big and bold. Expect to see fountains, marble, gold leaf, dazzling lights and lavish décor. Practically a small city under one roof, you can shop, eat, drink, or even get a makeover at one of the numerous spa boutiques.

Hundreds of clothing brands are represented in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, from luxury labels such as Chanel, Louboutin, Gucci and Bulgari, to mid-range brands including Guess, DNKY and Calvin Klein, to popular high street brands like Zara, Mango and Massimo Duti.

It’s not just apparel shopping that attracts visitors from around the world; Dubai is famous for its traditional souks, mazes of small shops and stalls selling everything from parsnips to paintings and a whole range of things in-between. These traditional ‘malls of old’ are fascinating places to shop and some of the only places where haggling is considered acceptable. Go for Gold Located in old Dubai near the creek, the gold souk is a must-visit place if you’re travelling to the Emirate. The souk sets the fold standard for authentic Middle Eastern bazaar shopping. Wander through over 300 outlets, all selling jewellery. Most of it is gold, and thanks to the Government’s rigorous standards, it’s all high quality.

Whether you want to purchase some gold or simply take in the sights, a trip here is highly recommended. You will be dazzled by the array of intricate and ostentatious jewellery designs on display but if it’s something more straightforward that you want, choose from an assortment of simple chains, sold by the inch.

The gold at Dubai gold souk is of superior quality and, due to the lack of sales tax, can prove to be a bargain buy. Dubai recently introduced VAT on purchases, but this can be claimed back for tourists.

You can’t fail to miss the perfume souk, just follow the heady aromas of exotic oils and discover your signature scent, created especially to complement your eye, skin, and hair colour.

You’ll find Emirate locals (or their staff) doing their weekly shop at the grocery souk, and bargain hunters will be in their element at the flea market.

Dubai Outlet Mall and Outlet Village are the places to visit to shop for your favourite labels – fashion, homeware, and accessories - at a fraction of the price. According to locals, Monday is the best day to pick up a great bargain as shops add further discounts after the weekend.

The shopping scene in Dubai was hard hit by the Covid 19 pandemic, with stores forced to close due to restrictions. Business savvy retailers turned to online offerings to recoup some business and even the famous Dubai Duty Free began a home-delivery service during the pandemic’s peak.

As the UAE and the rest of the world begin to get back to normal, the shopping malls are seeing footfall beating pre-pandemic numbers. While visitors to the Emirates head for the ‘super-malls’, many locals and ex-pats are staying closer to ‘home’ – there has been an upsurge in numbers of shoppers frequenting the more local, community malls such as Springs Souk and Meadows Souk. While not exactly small by global standards, these community malls have become places to meet friends, enjoy food and indulge in some retail therapy without the need to leave the neighbourhood.

The retail landscape in the UAE is everevolving, with new malls springing up all the time, and frequent visitors will find somewhere new to spend their money on each visit. Top tips for a shopping trip to Dubai are wear comfortable shoes, top up your credit card, and bring (or buy) a few empty suitcases!

A DAY OUT

IN DUBLIN

From sampling Dublin’s best cinnamon buns and picnicpicking at gourmet food halls to scoping the city’s ‘antique street’ Dublin is a charming hotchpotch of shopping experiences.

Shopping in Dublin is fun, not least because whatever you want, you can easily find it, and often within walking distance. Whether you’re after Waterford crystal, Celtic jewellery, or a unique piece by a local designer, the options are vast and exciting.

The capital city has two main shopping districts located on either side of the River Liffey which effectively splits the city in two. Henry Street is the central hub of north-ofthe-Liffey shopping; a street of shopping malls, high street stores and the grand old dame of the street (though now very modern and glamorous) Arnotts, Dublin’s oldest department store.

Located adjacent to the Spire, Henry Street is awash with stalls selling bags, hats and handbags and you will often see street traders pushing old-style prams filled with fresh fruit and flowers.

Crossing O’Connell Bridge towards the south of the city (and passing some famous landmarks on the way), Georgian Grafton

Street is the epicentre of the southside, and for many, Dublin’s most elegant shopping area. It has everything from high-end boutiques to regular high street fare in a pretty, old-world setting.

Grafton Street has become famous for its open-air entertainment, particularly busking. Musicians, poets, street performers and skilled mime artists vie for the attention of passing crowds.

Dublin and perhaps Irelands most famous store is known locally as ‘BT’s’. It takes pride of place on Grafton Street, as does its famous doormen, who welcome shoppers and visitors alike with big smiles and the tip of a hat as you enter this classic store.

Brown Thomas is synonymous with luxury shopping, and the store offers the Irish version of Selfridges, an upmarket mix of prêt-à-porter and haute couture clothing, accessories and cosmetics. Hugh Brown’s Restaurant on-site offers an array of elegant all-day dining options, modern Irish cuisine and speciality house cocktails on Level 3 – the ideal pitstop before or after shopping.

Adjacent to BT’s is Weir & Sons. Established in 1869 by Thomas Weir, it is still a family business and is now run and managed by fourth and fifth-generation family members. A Dublin classic, the store stocks all major luxury jewellery brands but the service here is decidedly ‘old school’. With its charming front door panel and building steeped in history, it is like stepping back into a bygone era.

The St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre marks the top of Grafton Street. A 1980s version of a 19th-century shopping arcade, the dramatic, balconied interior and central courtyard are a hive of activity with an eclectic mix of shops. It sits at the gate to Saint Stephens Green, Dublin’s answer to Central Park, and like the famous park, a horse-drawn carriage ride around the immediate area is a treat as you are regaled by stories of famous Dubliners past and present.

Delightfully Different The Powerscourt Townhouse Centre is a high end, boutique shopping experience set in an elegant Georgian townhouse just off Grafton Street.

Formally home to Richard Wingfield, 3rd Viscount Powerscourt (1744-1788), the house was used to entertain guests during Parliament season. Back then, the building was a house for parties, and it could be said that it lives up to that reputation to this day.

The third finest house in Dublin after Leinster House (government buildings) and Charlemont House (Dublin city gallery), Powerscourt is a fine example of Dublin’s Georgian architecture. It offers a range of upmarket retail and designer outlets in an upscale, atmospheric setting. Peruse fashion, jewellery and antique vendors; visit pop up art galleries and marvel at the fine architecture of this classic building.

Running parallel to Grafton Street, the South City Markets (today’s George’s Street Arcade) has been a fixture on the Dublin shopping scene since 1881.

The ornate red brick and terracotta structure is a Dublin landmark, and the many stalls inside offer an eclectic mix of vintage boutiques, food markets and quirky collectables. This is a random, diverse and bohemian place where you can find things that you might not find anywhere else. Pick up flowers in Appassionata, coffee and cake in Lolly and Cook’s, and Dublin’s best cinnamon buns in Simon’s Place. The arcade also runs to belly dancing accessories, second-hand books, falafel, fudge, health foods and pre-loved clothing. It’s not your conventional shopping experience, but it’s fun, and you never know what you might find here.

The Great Outdoors As a Georgian city, Dublin has several fine townhouse squares. These were common garden areas for those living in the large townhouses of the era, which lacked a private garden. The most famous of Dublin’s garden squares is Saint Stephens Green, while the second most famous is Merrion Square, home to some of Ireland’s most prominent citizens in the past, including Daniel O’Connell, Oscar Wilde and W.B. Yeats.

Both squares become year-round open art galleries on weekends with local artists displaying their work on the surrounding railings. It affords a weekly opportunity for artists to socialize, network, and gain from visitors, patrons, and colleagues, both encouragement and critique. Whether you choose to buy or not, it’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon and to chat to locals and artists alike.

The size and layout of Dublin is such that shopping and sightseeing become intertwined. The tourist hub of Temple Bar is always popular, as are its cobbled streets. Temple Bar is home to three different markets that provide something different for everyone over the weekend. Saturdays include the Temple Bar food market in Meeting House Square with a wide range of stalls selling everything from cheese to seafood and freshly baked goods. Meanwhile, at Cow’s Lane, the Designer Mart showcases the very best in Irish handmade craft and design with 20 different stalls. The Temple Bar Book Market is on Saturday and Sunday in Temple Bar Square and offers vintage books and vinyl for literature and music lovers alike.

Hidden Treasures Scattered across Ireland are little curio shops crammed with character and run by expert antiquarians.

Today there is a whole new market for this ancient trade. With deposit interest rates at historic lows, savers and investors are seeking alternative investments. Property, the stock market and gold are the most popular choices, but for some, antiques are an attractive option as buyers get to invest while living with and enjoying their purchase.

It may be cliché to say that antiques are a talking point, but with antiques, you get such a lot of beautiful, fine detailing that’s simply not done anymore, lovely gilt mirrors, occasional tables with marble, marquetry or gilt inlay and fine brass lamps. You can also pick up antique ceramics such as oriental vases, hand-painted urns, plant holders and Jardiniers – authentic statement pieces that add eye-catching vintage style.

Nestled in one of Dublin’s oldest neighbourhoods, The Liberties is one of Ireland’s oldest antiques and arts quarters. Francis Street is legendary among those in the know with over 20 antique shops, galleries and craft stores. It’s central, too, located just a five-minute walk from St Patrick’s Cathedral. Lovers of vintage goods will relish exploring the treasure trove of goods here. Francis Street is Dublin’s main center for antiques with collectables from numerous centuries and eras. Come here for Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian period furniture, rare items, lighting, decorative items, oriental rugs and much more.

Linger over the intriguing window displays, then step inside stores to investigate shelves and spaces crammed with fascinating objects from the distant past.

Other items that might catch your eye are Irish paintings and sculptures, prints, old photographs, antique jewellery and Irish silver. Whether you are a serious collector or not, there is something for everyone, and prices are all negotiable.

Outside of Dublin, Lonely Planet recommends The Whatnot in Derry as “an interesting little antique shop crammed with jewellery, militaria, bric-a-brac and collectables.” Norwegian interior designer Anette Frostad is a fan of Fado in Dingle, saying, “It’s so cozy for a start. You almost think it’s too small, and then you go digging and find hundreds of once-off decorative pieces and a massive collection of traditional Irish prints and posters. Any decorator would spend hours there.” Dingle on Ireland’s southwest coast is one of Ireland’s gems and a firm favourite for visitors along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

If you’re planning a trip to Ireland and love antiques, turn your trip into an antiquing tour of the Emerald Isle. A number of tour companies operating in Ireland offer tours explicitly designed for antique lovers. Choose a tour that stops at one or more of the many Irish antique fairs, or select a more luxurious trip with stops at grand country houses to see antiques in the homes of the Irish aristocracy.

A tangible link to our heritage, antiques tell a story. Relics of the past that carry on giving into the future, antiques are the link between modern living and a bygone era.

UNIQUELY BROWN THOMAS

A luxury clothing and lifestyle store Brown Thomas is part of a global retail family that attracts the very best in luxury brands.

Located on Dublin’s most fashionable street, Brown Thomas is Ireland’s premier luxury department store and part of a global retail family which includes Selfridges in the UK, Holt Renfrew in Canada and de Bijenkorf in Holland.

This flagship store, and a landmark on Dublin’s Grafton Street since 1849, houses the world’s most prestigious designer brands from fashion and accessories to beauty and home. Featuring the world’s most prestigious luxury boutiques including Tiffany & Co., Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Céline, Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton, Brown Thomas has achieved pre-eminent status; a store that is listed among the best in the world, yet it remains quintessentially Irish and unique.

From the doorman’s greeting to the sales consultant’s smile, the bond with the customer is all important. The aim is to ensure that every visitor’s experience at Brown Thomas is a memorable one, and the team will be delighted to welcome you in store.

Personal service is key, and Brown Thomas will gladly deliver your shopping to your hotel so that you can enjoy the rest of your day at leisure around the city. If you wish, they can bring a selection of products to you so that you can enjoy shopping in the comfort of your hotel suite.

In the case of products over a certain weight, Brown Thomas can organise complimentary shipping to your country of residence. And if you live outside Europe, you will enjoy the benefits of tax-free shopping.

A shopping experience like no other, wherever your location or whatever your needs, Brown Thomas will deliver in every way possible so that memories of your visit to Dublin are with you for years to come.

“Featuring the world’s most prestigious luxury boutiques including Tiffany & Co., Hermès, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Céline, Tom Ford and Louis Vuitton, Brown Thomas has achieved pre-eminent status; a store that is listed among the best in the world, yet it remains quintessentially Irish and unique.”