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Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Nicole Fall

Dubai is big on malls because without them it would be near impossible to shop. The oppressive heat and distances between locations mean freestanding stores or shopping streets outside the old town are almost non-existent. But there are malls, and then there's the Mall of the Emirates, which takes the concept of a shopping centre with air-conditioning one step further. Here, to put them in the mood for a post-shopping evening on the piste, shoppers are encouraged to wear snowsuits, because the complex contains the United Arab Emirates' first indoor snow-filled dome, Ski Dubai. And with two floors of fashion, homewear and toys, as well as sport stores conveniently filled with ski equipment, there just might be something for everyone.

Rage (shop 115-D4, tel: 971 4 341 3388) sells a selection of surf, snow and skate gear aimed at Dubai's cash-rich, time-poor teens. Younger brothers and sisters should head to Okaidi (shop 20-D4, tel: 971 4 347 1411), which stocks a range of children's wear and top-of-the-line snow apparel and boots, with enough choice to keep even the most discerning junior happy.

Centrepoint (shop 23-B5, tel: 971 4 341 1988), a mini department store squarely aimed at Dubai's burgeoning middle class, sells children's wear and home furnishings.

The toy department is a particular delight and sells all the time-honoured favourites, including Cluedo Junior for 59 dirhams ($125) and Scrabble Junior (69 dirhams). Within the true-Brit department store Debenhams (shop 24-G4, tel: 971 4 340 7575) is mid-market fashion brand Next. Top-quality men's T-shirts cost about 160 dirhams. Women should visit Nayomi (shop 133-D3, tel: 971 4 341 4377) for a sub-abaya lingerie update.

Lucky Brand Jeans (shop 100-F3, tel: 971 4 341 1445) is a recent addition to the mall and sells men's and women's fashion with a European slant. But if you're looking for something more typical of the Middle East, a visit to Ajmal Perfumes (shop 191-D4, tel: 971 4 341 4151) is essential. Traditional scents such as the heady frankincense or musk come in fetching glass vials. Men's aftershaves cost from 60 dirhams, but prices vary with the rarity of the scent. If Ajmal caters to the white-collar crowd, Abdul Samed Al Qurashi (shop 190-D4, tel: 971 4 347 5589) must be servicing the sheiks. The store has a rarefied interior modelled on a private jet and is luxury personified. Most of its scents are custom blended and start at 100 dirhams for a small bottle of Oud.

There is no escaping home-interior stores throughout the mall and Marina (shop 67-D5, tel: 971 4 800 4360) is one of the best. Oversized daybeds and wooden Arabian panels priced up to 440 dirhams make for unusual, and authentic, souvenirs.

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