Dubai start-ups, SMEs encouraged to partake in 2019 Retail Calendar

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai SME – the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) mandated to develop the SME (small and medium enterprise) sector – have forged a strategic partnership to drive small business participation in the 2019 Retail Calendar.

The Retail Calendar is an initiative conceived by DFRE, DED and 18 selected industry partners to drive Dubai’s retail value proposition and attract increased resident and consumer shopping spend.

As part of the partnership, DFRE and Dubai SME held a briefing session for start-ups to outline the many economic benefits of participating in the Retail Calendar.

The Retail Calendar pricing has been considerably restructured to cater to smaller businesses, creating special packages for all qualifying SMEs, who are members of the Dubai SME initiative, with only three years of operational experience and less than five outlets. Aimed at encouraging wider sector participation, this amendment will afford SMEs the opportunity to maximise sales and further enhance the overall economic growth.

In addition to the price restructuring, the third iteration of the Retail Calendar includes even more citywide events and activations throughout 2019, greater amplifying the opportunities for start-ups and SMEs across a diversified range of product categories and brand segments. Now featuring 18 events over 247 days – versus, 12 events over 178 days in 2018 – participating small and medium businesses can take advantage of the tactical seasonal schedule of events and promotions that support retailers in boosting profitability and increasing spend from both residents and tourists.

Commenting on the initiative, DFRE CEO, Ahmed Al Khaja, says, “We are constantly looking for ways to support and promote the retail sector and this year, have placed great focus on targeting the small business segment, ensuring this important retail demographic can take advantage of the extensive benefits afforded by participation in the Retail Calendar. We are committed to consolidating our efforts across the city to offer exceptional experiences in collaboration with the public and private sectors, to continue to boost the retail sector. In cooperation with our industry partners at Dubai SME, we have worked to restructure the participation categories to enable smaller enterprises to take part in the Retail Calendar and benefit from increased opportunities to amplify their retail offering, thus contributing to the emirate’s wider economic development.”

“Dubai SME seeks to involve the SME community in events that enhance their role in the local as well as international markets. The 2019 Retail Calendar in Dubai has varied events for traders to showcase the diversity of their products and services and would be a valuable round-the-year opportunity for SMEs,” adds Abdul Basit Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME. “We will encourage entrepreneurs to participate in the Retail Calendar and offer promotions and discounts on their products, which can match any other product in terms of quality.”