Retail in Sharjah is primarily modern shopping malls. Shopping in the city is duty-free, rentals are lower than in Dubai, so prices for goods of well-known brands around the world are low. Tourists also like to buy inexpensive products from local businesses, which are sold both in malls and markets.
As for the very ritual of trading in order to bring down the price, it is indispensable in the markets and in small shops. You can try to save money by temperamental communication with the seller and in shopping malls, but most likely the venture will fail. Significant bulk discounts occur during the annual Spring Promotions and Summer Surprises, as well as during Ramadan.
What to bring from the UAE
Popular retail outlets
It is easy to choose a mall for shopping - almost every district has its own.
- Safeer Mall is located outside the city near the highway that connects Sharjah to Dubai. The number of boutiques in it is about 300, there is a large furniture store. The entertainment zone occupies a considerable area and includes a gym.
- Sahara Center is located next to the Al Nahda area and is connected to it by a pedestrian bridge. Its building has several domes, so it won't go unnoticed from the road. There are about 200 shops here. The entertainment area is designed in Indian style.
- Sharjah Mega Mal is located in the Abu Shagar area. There are about 150 shops here. The entertainment area has a stereo cinema, roller coasters, monorail. The mall is located near the highway that connects Sharjah with Dubai.
- Fans of walking along the city streets with inspection of local shops will find themselves in the shopping streets of Al Wadha, Jamal Abdul Nasser, King Faisal. It is full of traditional Arab souvenirs, carpets, jewelry, modern electronics, a variety of clothing, antique shops.
- A notable bookstore is located on Al-Kasbah Street. In it, you can not only buy books, but also rent them.
- The Blue Market, or Central Bazaar, is the oldest city in the Al Majas area. The market owes its name to its dome lined with azure tiles. It is also notable for its sophisticated air conditioning system, which combines modern solutions and an old system that is embedded in the architecture of the building. And the goods here are traditional oriental. In the labyrinth of shops, and there are about 600 of them here, you will be offered shawls, bedspreads, cosmetics and perfumes according to old recipes, jewelry made of gold and silver, rosewood crafts, CDs with Arabic music.
- The Iranian bazaar will be no less interesting. The name speaks for itself - they also sell original goods, but of a different origin.
