Shopping for all sorts of back to school essentials, from new clothes to electronic gadgets, is now easier, more fun and better value than ever with Dubai Summer Surprises’ (DSS) great retail deals.

The new academic term is still a few weeks away, but now is the time for students of all ages to stock up on their classroom must-haves. For this edition of DSS, retailers around the city are offering savings on a wide range of products that every parent and student needs before returning to school, university or even starting an online course at home.

Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DSS and the annual back to school retail promotion showcases Dubai as a fun, open, welcoming and safe destination, with all of the participating venues, stores and malls following the important health and safety procedures, including social distancing and the wearing of masks at all times.

Here, DFRE outlines some of the best back to school deals available throughout Dubai:

FASHION CLOTHING

Looking your best on the first day back in class is important, so shoppers will love the deals and choices available now from top fashion brands. Bench has a great Buy 2, Get 1 Free promotion on selected items, with a Buy 3, Get 1 Free offer available on some items at Hema. Customers can find up to 70 per cent off at RVCA and 50 per cent off at Jacadi Paris. Back to school offers include 25 to 60 per cent off at Aeropostale while Abercrombie & Fitch will tempt shoppers with savings of AED100 on purchases of AED500 or more. Brands stores offer part sale reductions between 25 and 55 per cent, FitFlop has dropped prices by up to 50 per cent and customers can enjoy 75 per cent off everything at G2000. Sacoor Kids in The Dubai Mall and City Centre Mirdif will give away free backpacks to shoppers who spend AED695.

STATIONERY & ACCESSORIES

Shop for pens, pencils, notepads and more with these back to school offers. Customers at TYPO can find Spinout Notebooks, in A4 and A5 sizes, starting from AED49 for four, Campus Notebooks starting at four for AED79 in A5 and four for AED99 in A4, plus Buffalo Journals from AED34. Laptop cases and backpacks start from AED109 and a selection of pens start at just AED25 for five. What’s more, students can get 10 per cent off the total bill when they present their student ID. Enjoy 25 per cent off backpacks, school bags, lifestyle accessories and more at Kipling, with shoppers also receiving a free gift with every purchase over AED500. Babyshop is offering three-piece or five-piece trolley backpack sets from just AED 79, plus all Babyshop backpacks come with a one year warranty.

ELECTRONICS

The latest gadgets go hand in hand with schoolwork nowadays, so students are encouraged to discover big savings on the best electronics available. iSmart Trading is offering up to 75 per cent off at its stores, with a great 25 to 65 per cent off at branches of Rhythm Electronics. Customers shopping at Emax Electronics will pick up free gifts including a bag, a mouse and headphones when they buy a MacBook Air laptop or a free Ferrari-branded bag when they purchase a Lenovo laptop, among other deals. Virgin Megastores will present shoppers with a AED200 voucher when they buy an iPad or a AED500 voucher with any purchase of a MacBook. At Sharaf DG stores customers can register for the ‘Play ‘n’ Win this BTS with Sharaf DG’ giveaway to take home great prizes. From 26 August to 4 September shoppers at Ibn Battuta Mall, Times Square and City Centre Deira stores can enter a ‘money booth’ to collect as many coupons as possible in 30 seconds. They can then enter a raffle draw to win Sharaf DG gift vouchers as well as cash prizes from AED500 to AED1,000.

OPTICAL

The new school term is the perfect time to purchase some new eyewear, with big savings to be found on frames and sunglasses. Branches of Sun Vision and Crystal Vision Optical have slashed prices by up to 75 per cent, with up to half price off some items at Sun Eye Optics. Part sale savings of between 30 and 50 per cent can be found at Optx 20/20, Occhiali Optics and Yateem Optics. Shoppers can enjoy prices reduced by up to 70 per cent at Emirates Optical, and up to 60 per cent at Al Amin Opticals with between 30 and 75 per cent off selected products at Etihad Optical Vision. Rivoli EyeZone stores offer a wide range of glasses for men, women and kids. Shoppers can choose from a range of kids’ eyewear with Blue Light protection and enjoy free lens replacement up to twice a year.

FOOTWEAR

Students can step into the new school year in style with great deals on a wide range of footwear styles. Cole Haan’s back to school offers include Buy 1, Get 1 Free on selected items, while Shoe King has reduced prices by up to 70 per cent. Shoppers can find savings between 25 and 50 per cent at Call It Spring stores. Brand Bazaar’s offers include Buy 1, Get One Free and Buy 2 pairs for AED199 among other deals. ALDO and Anne Klein have both cut prices by up to 50 per cent. Shoppers can find 25 to 50 per cent savings at Birkenstock as well as up to 40 per cent off at Charles & Keith. At Skechers outlets, customers can buy two pairs of shoes for AED549 and take home a special five-piece back to school kit that includes a backpack, pencil box, lunch box, water bottle and a tote bag for mums. Shop for men, women and kids at CROCS with every purchase of AED349 or more receiving a free school kit gift.

HOME FURNISHINGS 

This year’s back to school promotion has lots of offers to support home studying with deals on homeware including desks and much more. Crate & Barrel has cut prices by up to 60 per cent with between 25 and 70 per cent off at Danube Home. Madam Coco stores will delight customers with a 25 to 50 per cent sale, with 50 per cent off selected items at Home Box and up to 70 per cent at JYSK. Lakeland stores will host great Buy 1, Get 1 Free deals on some items while a part sale at Natuzzi features prices reduced by 25 to 75 per cent. Shoppers can also enjoy up to 70 per cent off at branches of Pan Emirates.

Dubai Summer Surprises is supported by Key Sponsor RAKBANK MasterCard and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City Mall and Dubai Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, Dubai Holding, Emirates Airline, Enoc, Etisalat, Majid Al Futtaim (Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Deira), Merex and Nakheel (Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall and Circle Mall). For more information, log onto the website mydss.ae or follow @DSSsocial for the latest information.