Dubai: Dubai Shopping Festival, in its 28th edition, needs little introduction. It’s a retail extravaganza that residents look forward to, and tourists plan their travel calendars around. This annual event never fails to step up the tempo of the shopping season with world-class entertainment, raffles, and promotions.

Back in 1996, it was only a vision - one of many by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to carve out the UAE of today. The objective was to create an event that would leave a mark on the world’s retail landscape and drive the growth of Dubai’s hospitality and tourism sector.

The backing of the public and private sectors was central to the success of this ambitious idea. For Jumbo, and its Founder Manu R Chabbria, this was an opportunity to truly show its belief in this nation’s potential while capitalising on a business proposition that promised great returns.

As one of the founding sponsors, Jumbo is privileged to have played a part in the DSF story. A peek into the photographs of the inaugural event is enough to evoke memories of a Dubai before DSF – an emirate at the cusp of transitioning into a retail haven.

A golden connection

To this day, the DSF-Jumbo connection is an unbroken commitment. Time and again, Jumbo has created excitement during DSF by providing shoppers with a rewarding experience - to pick up great bargains and prizes. Jumbo’s gold giveaways have, especially, been a big draw for many years now.

In 2017-18, Jumbo with the support of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), Emirates Gold Refinery and Brinks Global, put up the World’s Largest Display of Gold Bars at its store in the Mall of the Emirates. The attraction in the shape of a shopping bag featured 250 kilos of gold.