Jeddah Shopping Festival in full swing

Even as the owners and assistants of shops and outlets are keeping their fingers crossed over the prospects of their business during the ongoing month long Jeddah Shopping Festival, dubbed as “Hayya Jeddah 2012,” some of them are hopeful of reaping a rich harvest. “Usually, after Ramadan, there is a lull in shopping, but the festival that is in the midst of its second week holds out hope for us,” Abdul Razzak, an assistant at a textile outlet in downtown Balad, told Arab News. Like people are increasingly visiting textile shops, there is a visible strong turnout at some of the jewelry shops, especially in the Gold Souk at Kandara, despite the rising gold prices. “We are pleasantly surprised that people are coming to us and even purchasing gold and jewelry,” Abdulaziz Kindi, a jeweler at the souk said. A survey shows that a number of shops and outlets registered for participation in the festival are offering discounts ranging up to 50 percent and even up to 70 percent for some products. “What is also being noticed is that visitors from different parts of the Kingdom have come to Jeddah during the spring break and have been visiting us,” a supervisor at Shobra, a huge outlet that specializes in garment for children and women said. Upbeat about the success of the festival are Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Chairman Saleh Kamel and Jeddah Shopping Festival Chairman Mohammed Hafiz. “The festival is also a good opportunity for further improving the tourism business in the western region through business exchanges,” Kamel said.  “And this will in turn benefit the economy,” he added. The festival will also further increase the city’s visitors, which stood at 20 million last year. “The festival has got to succeed, as it is organized with a grand plan and in a grand manner with the participation of a large number of shops, malls and commercial centers,” Hafiz added. Hafiz, who is also the CEO of Al Sawani Group, said the group, a major retailer in the Kingdom, is a strong participant and offering discounts during the festival that kicked off on Jan. 18 and ends on Feb. 17. The timing of the festival, which is organized by the JCCI in cooperation with the Saudi Commission for tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and many shopping malls, outlets and business entities, is appropriate, considering the excellent weather the Jeddah residents are experiencing these days. A visit to both the north and south terminals of King Abdulaziz International Airport shows that aside from visitors from the Kingdom’s far-flung areas those from the GCC countries are not lagging behind. The visitors are also utilizing the spring break for performing Umrah and are keen to cash it on  festival shopping discounts. “I have brought my entire family for Umrah and thereafter they will be on a shopping spree,” Ibrahim bin Nasser, a visitor from Sharjah said on arrival at the south terminal. “My children are also looking forward to visit entertainment and recreation centers.”