Dubai is not the first place that springs to mind when you think of chilly winter weather.
However, that has not stopped the emirate’s stores from reporting a boom in the sale of clothes designed to protect against the cold.
Shops have stocked up on hoodies, boots, beanie hats and coats to match the demand from shoppers wanting to stay warm.
The National took a trip to Ibn Battuta Mall on Tuesday morning to see why people were so keen to buy winter clothes.
Sold out
“We have had a massive demand for hoodies and beanie hats since the end of November,” said Ericsson Acyatan, owner of the Deobligate fashion stall.
“We have actually run out of beanie hats right now because so many people were buying them.
“Most people bought them because they wanted to stay warm in the winter months here in Dubai, while a lot of others bought them because they were travelling to their own countries for the holidays — where it is really cold.”
The mall itself was packed, in no small part due to the rain outside, which has led authorities to issue safety warnings for motorists — a far cry from the searing heat the region is known for during the summer months.
While demand for winter clothes is nothing new, there has been an increase in demand this year, according to another sales assistant in the mall.
“Sales are up from this time last year, from what I see,” said Shaffan Mohamed, who works at Brand Bazzaar.
“People are looking for hoodies, jackets, dress coats and anything that will keep them warm.”
Preparing for trips abroad
There was also significant demand from UAE residents travelling to their home countries for Christmas and the New Year.
Since the pandemic struck in 2020, this winter is the first holiday season with almost completely unrestricted travel.
“We are selling a lot of hoodies to people who are going away for the holidays and want to be fully prepared when they arrive,” said Dipen Maharzan, a sales assistant in clothing store Hard Soda.
“They don’t want to have to do any shopping in other countries so they make the most of time with family and friends.”
Noraj Gruang, a sales assistant at Max Fashion, said customers could not get enough of winter gear, with items flying off the shelves.
“They are buying loads of boots, hoodies, sweaters and jackets,” said Mr Gruang.
“Winter boots are particularly in demand right now.”
Another store was making the most of the demand for winter clothes with padded coats, hoodies and boots on display.
“We always sell a lot of jackets, hoodies and fashion boots in the winter and this year is no different,” said Kat Caluyna, sales assistant with Forever 21.
“Our best-selling items right now are hoodies and fleeces.”
The UAE is currently experiencing wet weather and a drop in the temperature.
Rain has swept across the country since Monday with heavy showers reported in Dubai and Sharjah. The National Centre of Meteorology has issued a yellow alert for large parts of the Emirates, calling for people to “be aware” of the wet weather.
The weather centre shared a safety notice on social media calling for people planning to travel by road to be vigilant.
More rain and cloudy weather is forecast for much of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Temperatures are set to remain at about 25° in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on both days, dropping below 20° in the evenings.
Wet weather in the UAE — in pictures
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TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize
This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.
From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
RESULTS
ATP China Open
G Dimitrov (BUL x3) bt R Bautista Agut (ESP x5)
7-6, 4-6, 6-2
R Nadal (ESP x1) bt J Isner (USA x6)
6-4, 7-6
WTA China Open
S Halep (ROU x2) bt D Kasatkina (RUS)
6-2, 6-1
J Ostapenko (LAT x9) bt S Cirstea (ROU)
6-4, 6-4
ATP Japan Open
D Schwartzman (ARG x8) bt S Johnson (USA)
6-0, 7-5
D Goffin (BEL x4) bt R Gasquet (FRA)
7-5, 6-2
M Cilic (CRO x1) bt R Harrison (USA)
6-2, 6-0
Company%20profile
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
