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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Over a million people now have access to the gen-AI powered Alexa+
More invites to Amazon's upgraded digital assistant, Alexa+, powered by generative AI, have been steadily rolling out. The service, first announced in February, now reaches over a million users, Amazon confirmed to TechCrunch on Monday. However, Alexa+ is not yet publicly available. Instead, Amazon has been working through its waitlist, sending out invites to those customers who originally signed up to test the service when it became available. Over the past several weeks, many people have shared on social media that they've received an invite to try Alexa+, whose service offers more natural and personalized interactions, smart home integration, and expanded capabilities thanks to AI. Alexa+ is available for free during Early Access and will later be free for Prime customers. Non-Prime users will be able to use the service for $19.99 per month after it publicly launches. Amazon earlier this year noted that invites to try out the new system would roll out in waves in the months ahead. As of May 2025, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that Alexa+ had so far reached over 100,000 users, representing only a tiny fraction of the 600 million Alexa devices that had been sold. That number has grown significantly in the weeks since. Alexa+ represents a serious attempt by Amazon to create a generative AI experience for consumers that it can eventually monetize. Though Amazon created a market for smart home-connected, voice-based assistants through its Alexa-powered Echo devices, it wasn't able to turn that traction into a revenue-generating business. Meanwhile, Alexa lost its shine in more recent years as generative AI services, like ChatGPT, took off. Compared with modern-day AI, Alexa began to feel clunky, constrained, and underpowered. Alexa+ aims to bring the digital assistant new capabilities. The service allows users to chat with the digital assistant using more natural language, where you can phrase requests your own way. For instance, you could tell Alexa, 'It's too cold in here,' to have Alexa adjust their smart thermostat. You'll also more easily be able to create routines, search across your Ring camera footage, interrupt or pivot the conversation with the assistant, and more. The experience is more personalized, too, as it saves your preferences and remembers what you like, from favorite songs to recipes and beyond. With its generative AI component, Alexa can do things like summarize long emails you share with the service, create unique bedtime stories, generate quizzes from study guides, make travel itineraries, provide summaries of your smart home activity, and answer other questions, similar to how an AI chatbot might respond. Plus, the assistant will be able to help you take certain actions — like buying concert tickets, booking a dinner reservation, and notifying you when something you've been watching goes on sale, among other things. Initial partners on this feature include OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber Eats, Tripadvisor, Grubhub, Yelp, Priceline, Viator, Thumbtack, Atom, Fodor's, and others. While in early access, Alexa+ will initially be available on Echo Show 8, 10, 15, or 21 devices in the U.S. Over time, it will expand to more Echo customers, Fire TV users, and Fire tablet users. Customers who have been invited to try the product are reporting mixed results, with some praising the service, noting it's more advanced than Siri, while others said it's still rough around the edges. (Some early reviews agree with the latter.) It's worth pointing out that Alexa+ is not currently fully launched, but it's getting close. Amazon says nearly 90% of the features it previously announced have since shipped. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Revamped Chase Sapphire Reserve: New Benefits And 100k Point Bonus
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. A few things in life are certain: death, taxes and issuers changing your favorite credit cards. Chase is keeping the tradition alive with a full revamp of its beloved Chase Sapphire Reserve® . With a flood of new perks and a steep annual fee hike, for better or worse, the refreshed Sapphire Reserve has arrived. What's Changing With the Chase Sapphire Reserve? $300 annual dining credit . Get primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, a curated selection of restaurants bookable on OpenTable. Awarded biannually, get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December. . Get primetime reservations at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables, a curated selection of restaurants bookable on OpenTable. Awarded biannually, get up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and again from July through December. Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status. You'll enjoy complimentary upgrades, a points boost, reward night discounts and late checkout (some status perks are subject to availability). You'll enjoy complimentary upgrades, a points boost, reward night discounts and late checkout (some status perks are subject to availability). $250 annual value for Apple subscriptions. Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, worth up to $250. Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, worth up to $250. $300 annual StubHub and viagogo credit. Get up to $300, awarded biannually, in StubHub and viagogo statement credits to use on concert and event tickets. Get up to $300, awarded biannually, in StubHub and viagogo statement credits to use on concert and event tickets. $120 in annual Lyft in-app credits. Cardholders get up to $10 monthly, plus 5X total points on eligible Lyft rides through September 30, 2027. Cardholders get up to $10 monthly, plus 5X total points on eligible Lyft rides through September 30, 2027. DoorDash benefits. Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass membership with DoorDash delivery service when you activate by December 31, 2027. This perk comes with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees. Plus, get up to $25 in monthly promos with a $5 monthly restaurant promo and two $10 nonrestaurant DoorDash promos through December 31, 2027. Get a 12-month complimentary DashPass membership with DoorDash delivery service when you activate by December 31, 2027. This perk comes with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees. Plus, get up to $25 in monthly promos with a $5 monthly restaurant promo and two $10 nonrestaurant DoorDash promos through December 31, 2027. $120 Peloton subscription statement credits. Get up to 10X points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases and up to $120 in annual statement credits toward Peloton memberships. If you are a big spender, you can unlock even more benefits when you spend $75,000 in a calendar year: IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite Status . IHG One Rewards' highest tier status. It includes the same benefits as Platinum Elite but also gives you priority Diamond support and 100% bonus points on every stay. . IHG One Rewards' highest tier status. It includes the same benefits as Platinum Elite but also gives you priority Diamond support and 100% bonus points on every stay. Southwest Airlines® A-List Status . With this status, you'll get a free checked bag and priority boarding. . With this status, you'll get a free checked bag and priority boarding. $500 Southwest credit. Use this credit toward Southwest Airlines flights booked through Chase Travel. Use this credit toward Southwest Airlines flights booked through Chase Travel. $250 credit to The Shops at Chase. Get a $250 credit to use for this new Chase online shopping experience exclusively for card members. Statement credits will be automatically applied. Your rewards on spending are also changing. These are the new earning rates for your Chase Sapphire Reserve card: 8 points per dollar on all purchases through Chase Travel, including The Edit 4 points per dollar on flights and hotels booked direct 3 points per dollar dining worldwide 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases Chase is replacing its 50% bonus on travel bookings made through Chase Travel with an all-new Points Boost feature. With the promotional Points Boost offers, select hotels and flights can be redeemed for up to 2 cents per point in value. Note that only select flights and hotels booked through Chase Travel are eligible for Points Boost. All other Chase Travel bookings will be worth 1 cent per point. What Isn't Changing? $300 annual travel credit. Existing Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can breathe a sigh of relief because this famously easy-to-use travel credit is sticking around. It's automatically applied to the first $300 of card purchases each anniversary year that code as travel. Existing Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can breathe a sigh of relief because this famously easy-to-use travel credit is sticking around. It's automatically applied to the first $300 of card purchases each anniversary year that code as travel. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee credit. Every four years, get an application fee credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership, which means expedited security at the airport Every four years, get an application fee credit for a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS membership, which means expedited security at the airport No foreign transaction fees. Use your card abroad and save by avoiding currency conversion fees. Use your card abroad and save by avoiding currency conversion fees. Purchase protection. Covers new purchases for up to 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per item. Covers new purchases for up to 120 days against damage or theft, up to $10,000 per item. Return protection. If a retailer won't take a return, you may be reimbursed for eligible items within 90 days, up to $500 per item and $1,000 per 12-month period. If a retailer won't take a return, you may be reimbursed for eligible items within 90 days, up to $500 per item and $1,000 per 12-month period. Extended warranty protection. Adds one additional year to eligible U.S. manufacturer warranties of three years or less. How Much Does the New Sapphire Reserve Cost? You might want to be sitting down for this one. The annual fee on the Sapphire Reserve now rings in at $795. That's a $245 increase. And it gets worse—authorized user cards jump to $195 per person, up from $75 each, or in other words, a $120 increase. Note: As of June 23, new applicants will have access to the new benefits but will incur the increased annual fee. Existing card members will have access to Points Boost and the additional features and benefits starting October 26, 2025. The annual fee will increase on their next anniversary date, following October 26. Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Still Worth It? That's a lot to take in—and if you're feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Whether you already have it, or you're thinking about applying, it can be tricky to figure out if the Chase Sapphire Reserve is worth it for you. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer, here are a few steps to help you decide: Calculate your potential earnings. Look at your typical spending in the card's bonus categories and estimate how many points you could earn each year. Weigh the perks against the annual fee. Add up the value you'll actually use from the card's credits, travel protections and new benefits—not just what sounds good. Compare alternatives. If the math isn't adding up, check out our list of the best cards to see if there's a better fit for you. With a little math and a comprehensive look at your travel plans, you'll be able to tell if the new Sapphire Reserve deserves a spot in your wallet. Was this article helpful?
Los Angeles Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Keep that downtown Los Angeles dining reservation. It's safe to go to dinner
It sounded like the alarm for a severe weather warning. At 8:19 p.m. on Monday evening, my phone blared with a public safety alert that a curfew was in place from 10 p.m. to 6 am. in downtown Los Angeles. It came just as I crested the hill on the south 110 Freeway that offers a sweeping view of the city below. I was on my way to meet a friend for dinner at Kinjiro, a snug izakaya in the heart of Little Tokyo. The area is one of the downtown neighborhoods most gravely affected by the aftermath of the recent demonstrations protesting President Trump's immigration policies and the ensuing raids. Mayor Karen Bass' curfew, enacted a week prior in an effort to quell any chaos associated with the demonstrations, meant the streets were empty. It was the latest hurdle in an ever-expanding list of challenges for Los Angeles restaurants, which in the last five years have faced drastic drops in business from a pandemic, Hollywood writers' strikes and fires. All along 2nd Street, the windows and doors were hidden behind plywood. Graffiti featuring choice words for the police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement covered nearly every surface. The frequently bustling Japanese Village Plaza, where shoppers dine at a revolving sushi bar and stop for cheese-filled corn dogs, was desolate. When I made it to the izakaya, it was clear that they were closed. The windows had been boarded up and a security gate was pulled across the entrance. We drove over to Bavel in the Arts District, curious to see if one of the city's most consistently booked restaurants was feeling the effects of the curfew, which covered the area of downtown between the 5 and 10 freeways and from the 10 to where the 110 and 5 freeways merge. You can probably measure the state of dining in Los Angeles by the fullness of the dining room at Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis' Levant-leaning restaurant. A last-minute prime table at 8 p.m. on any other night? No chance. When we arrived as walk-ins, we found a patio that was mostly empty, sparse patrons at the bar and a dining room that felt devoid of the usual Bavel energy. A quick scroll through the week's upcoming reservations on OpenTable showed multiple openings each night. I drove home past curfew, expecting to see a checkpoint of sorts or maybe even an increased police presence. There wasn't a single police car or protester. All the streets were open. The 8 p.m. curfew, first issued on June 10, was changed to a 10 p.m. curfew on Monday. On Tuesday, the curfew was lifted altogether, but many downtown restaurants are still struggling to fill their dining rooms. Just last week, Kato restaurant lost 80% of its reservations. Jon Yao, Ryan Bailey and Nikki Reginaldo's Arts District tasting menu restaurant celebrates Yao's upbringing in the San Gabriel Valley. It was named the No. 1 restaurant on the L.A. Times 101 List three times. Earlier this week, Yao won the James Beard Award for best chef in California. If there's a destination restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, this is it. On Tuesday, in light of the lifted curfew, the restaurant was still looking at a 70% drop in reservations for the upcoming week. 'The direct impact of the media's portrayal of DTLA being unsafe, which it is not, has impacted Kato immediately, and we were forced to close two nights,' Bailey says. On Friday, around 20 of the reservations canceled were for dinners booked weeks and months in the future. 'I had two specific instances where the guest called to say they were canceling their upcoming trip to L.A. based on not feeling safe in L.A. anymore,' Bailey says. 'The optimist in me hopes that the curfew, especially given the lifting now, does not cause long-term damage to downtown,' says Cassy Horton, co-founder of the DTLA Residents Assn. The organization works to create a thriving urban community in downtown that supports new and existing residents in the area. 'This is why we have been advocating so strongly to make sure our small businesses can open up,' says Horton. 'We need our neighbors across the region to really rally behind downtown right now because we need their support.' Hours after the curfew was lifted Tuesday, downtown started to show signs of coming to life again. Just before 7 p.m., a line began to form at Daikokuya in Little Tokyo. The small ramen shop is known as much for the perpetual wait as it is for its steaming bowls of tonkotsu ramen. It was a hopeful sight during a week of uncertainty, in an area that was the epicenter of the demonstrations. 'We checked with our friends who live right here and we were really mindful about coming tonight,' says Kevin Uyeda. He stood in line for ramen with fellow Echo Park resident Julie M. Leonard, both eager to make the short trip to Little Tokyo for dinner. 'I think there has been a lot of misinformation about the protests and the levels of everything,' says Leonard. 'I don't think the curfew was necessary. Most of the protests were peaceful.' A few doors down, at Korean restaurant Jincook, the staff removed the boards covering the windows that afternoon. 'It's safe to come here,' says Jincook server Hendrik Su. 'We want people to know that we are open.' At the Japanese Village Plaza, strollers rolled through the winding walkway with patrons sipping boba. Arts District residents Renee Sogueco and Chris Ciszek carried bags of leftovers from recent stops at Daikokuya and Fugetsu-Do, the more than a 100-year-old mochi and mango confectionery on 1st Street. 'Once we heard the curfew was lifted we wanted to come out,' says Sogueco. 'We've been feeling really bad about it with all the immigrant-owned businesses being affected. Daikokuya was fairly busy, but not as busy as we've seen it.' Ciszek's parents decided to make the trip out from Virginia to visit, despite friends back home questioning the decision. 'People are seeing a lot of very curated images online,' says Ciszek. 'They don't reflect what's been happening downtown. From what we've seen, the protesters have been happy, dancing, playing music, not violently disruptive.' I took a short drive west to the South Broadway block that houses Grand Central Market and found people eating tacos on the tables that line the sidewalk. A few locals sipped glasses of wine at nearby Kippered, the wine and tinned fish bar from Lydia Clarke and Reed Herrick. 'With everything boarded up, it doesn't feel inviting for tourists or people to come,' says Clarke. 'We still need people from outside the neighborhood, so people don't forget how great downtown is, how easy it is to come and pop around to a couple of places.' With the curfew being lifted, many restaurants that closed, temporarily opened for lunch or moved to entirely new locations outside of downtown Los Angeles, started to announce that they would return to regular business operations. Lasita, the Filipino rotisserie and wine bar in Chinatown, reopened for dinner. Steve and Dina Samson's Italian restaurant Rossoblu, which operated as a pop-up in Playa Vista over the weekend, returned to dinner service at its Fashion District location recently. 'I know we deal with so much in downtown, but when things get harder, our hearts get bigger,' says Clarke. 'I'm feeling really hopeful again.'
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Dubai Summer Surprises 2025: Full line-up revealed
Dubai's ultimate programme of non-stop summer fun marks its 28th edition with its most value-packed edition ever - with thousands of ways to shop, dine, stay, and play at pocket-friendly prices For the first time ever in DSS history, Dubai's favourite summer festival will unfold in three curated shopping seasons, each delivering fresh new offers, limited-time flash sales, the biggest prizes and unbeatable value across the city's leading brands This year's stellar line-up of iconic and only-in-Dubai summer experiences include the first-ever editions of DSS Gahwa Beats, 10 Dirham Dish, brand-new Modesh adventures, plus the return of iconic festival favourites like Summer Restaurant Week bookable via OpenTable, Beat The Heat DXB, DSS Entertainer, show-stopping concerts, massive savings across hotels & attractions, and much more Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The countdown is on: Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 is set to take over the city for its epic 28th edition from 27 June to 31 August, transforming the emirate into the ultimate summer destination with exceptional savings, endless excitement, and amazing new adventures. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most value-packed edition of DSS promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do, see, shop, and savour for 66 non-stop days. From life-changing raffles and incredible discounts to world-class gastronomy, hospitality, indoor family fun, and headline concerts, DSS delivers unforgettable moments for everyone, whether a resident, a visitor, or travelling in from across the UAE. The jam-packed DSS calendar of events was unveiled at a special press preview event held today at the iconic Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the founding property of Jumeirah, characterised by its iconic wave-like architecture and renowned façade. The preview event showcased a mix of not-to-be-missed, brand-new DSS experiences and returning festival favourites, showcasing summer as the best-value time of year to experience Dubai across every preference and price point, with endless reasons to stay, play, shop and celebrate together. For the first-time ever, DSS brings a brand-new shopping experience with three specially curated retail seasons designed to keep the city buzzing. Summer Holiday Offers kicks off the celebrations from 27 June to 17 July, brimming with exclusive promotions, family-friendly deals, and the first round of spectacular raffles across Dubai's top malls. Then comes the most thrilling shopping moment of the season: the Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August, featuring three weeks of unbeatable value, citywide excitement, and the biggest-ever prizes. Wrapping up DSS is the Back to School period from 11 to 31 August, giving families and students the chance to save and stock up on everything they need for the new term, plus exciting giveaways and the opportunity to win scholarships to school fees. Each shopping period has been specially curated to match the rhythm of the season, helping shoppers unlock new surprises and unbeatable value across citywide malls, attractions, hotels, as well as star-powered performances, thrilling live entertainment, diverse culinary delights, enchanting experiences with everyone's favourite Modesh, and so much more. Commenting on the full calendar reveal of DSS 2025, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'This year's Dubai Summer Surprises is our most dynamic and value-packed edition to date, with thousands of unbeatable offers, compelling retail promotions, and endless experiences showcasing everything that makes the emirate a truly global, world-class, and diverse family destination. Promising a summer well spent for everyone, DSS 2025 strengthens Dubai's standing as a city brimming with unbeatable value, seamlessly bringing together every major tourism pillar – be it retail, hospitality, entertainment, gastronomy, or leisure. Our packed programme offers compelling reasons for residents and visitors alike to stay and explore unique citywide experiences that are accessible, exciting, convenient, and full of unforgettable moments at the best value time of the year. Al Khaja added: 'With the introduction of three curated shopping seasons anchoring our citywide calendar this year, the 28th edition of DSS has been specially designed to cater to every age, preference, and price-point. Thanks to the continued support of our valued partners and stakeholders, we're proud to deliver a summer where every moment has been specially designed to feel exciting, rewarding, and uniquely Dubai – ultimately reflecting the city's energy, creativity, and commitment to world-class experiences. Together, we aim to deliver unparalleled experiences for residents and visitors in line with the objectives of the D33 agenda to make Dubai one of the best places to live, visit, and work in the world.' DSS OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS: 27 - 29 JUNE DSS 2025 kicks off with a spectacular weekend of family fun, cultural celebrations, and show-stopping entertainment across the city. At Dubai Festival City Mall, visitors can expect electrifying performances from regional artists like Japanese dance crew Sabrina, Dubai-based Emirati band Abri & Band, Palestinian-Jordanian pop artist Reina Khoury, and Palestinian singer-songwriter Noel Kharman. Over at City Centre Mirdif, the spotlight turns to Jordanian indie rock band Jadal and Syrian vocalist Al Shami, coupled with thrilling roaming acts and live shows adding to the high-energy atmosphere. It's an unforgettable start to Dubai's most exciting season. The excitement of the opening weekend continues across Dubai's iconic venues with an unmissable line-up of headline concerts and live shows. Highlights include Miami Band and Mutref Al Mutref at Coca-Cola Arena on 28 June; Jazziyat featuring Banah at Dubai Opera on 27 June; A Tribute to Adele at Theatre by QE2 on 27 and 28 June; Atul Khatri Live at Dubai College, We Call It Ballet at Zabeel Theatre; and a grand finale with Adnan Sami live at Coca-Cola Arena and the Pinoy Comedy Mixtape at Dubai World Trade Centre on 29 June. The DSS Sales Season kicks off in full force over the opening weekend, launching 9 weeks of savings, surprises, and spectacular shopping across more than 800 brands at over 3,000 retailers. The first themed retail window, Summer Holiday Offers, begins on 27 June, offering citywide deals, mall activations, and exciting chances to win from the very first day. Mall activations and special retail promotions take centre stage throughout the Opening Weekend with experiences like Slide Into the Summer Surprises at Mercato Mall, the SHARE Millionaire at all Majid Al Futtaim malls, Spend and Win a Polestar 4 promotion at Dubai Festival City Mall, Shop, Win, Drive at Dubai Festival Plaza, Jurassic Café by VOX Cinemas at Mall of The Emirates, DSS Win a Soueast S06 with Dubai Outlet Mall, Lucky Receipt, DSS Win with Tickit, and plenty more. Making Opening Weekend celebrations even more memorable are multiple chances for shoppers to participate in incredible raffles to win big throughout the Summer Holiday Offers phase. Highlights include the DSMG DSS Raffle, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group Raffle, and the VISA Jewellery Program, each offering unforgettable rewards and mega prizes to kick off the season. BRAND-NEW & RETURNING FESTIVAL FAVOURITES Back by popular demand, Dubai Summer Restaurant Week makes its highly anticipated return from 4 to 13 July, inviting residents and visitors to enjoy specially priced set menus for lunch and dinner at more than 50 of the city's most-loved family-friendly restaurants. From neighbourhood favourites to renowned international spots, the week-long event offers the perfect excuse to gather with friends, treat the family, or sample something new, all at exceptional value. Reservations for this exclusive, limited-time opportunity are subject to availability. Diners are encouraged to book their tables today through restaurant discovery and reservation platform OpenTable, via the website and app. Another all-new experience coming to DSS this year is DSS Gahwa Beats, celebrating Dubai's vibrant café culture with high-energy citywide pop-ups. Taking place every Saturday through DSS, on 26 July, 2 August, 9 August, 16 August, and 23 August visitors are promised great beats, amazing coffee, and unbeatable vibes at iconic venues across the city. Exact locations will be revealed closer to the time. Making its incredible debut this DSS is the 10 Dirham Dish from 1-31 August, celebrating the richness of the local dining scene by offering dishes at an accessible price point of just AED 10. The initiative invites residents and visitors to embark on a delectable journey of culinary discovery by exploring diverse cuisines and hidden gems across the city. CONCERTS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES Beyond the jam-packed opening weekend, music lovers can look forward to the return of the eagerly awaited Beat The Heat DXB concert series at Dubai World Trade Centre from 4 to 13 July, featuring the region's hottest talents across a dynamic mix of genres; from Arabic pop and indie to rap and hip-hop. Expect high-energy sets from Tul8te, Almas, Sharmoofers, Aziz Maraka, Ghalia, Soulja, Montiyago, Mo Ali, Bader Al Shuaibi, Abdulaziz Louis, and Nasser Abbas. Also taking centre-stage this summer are Lebanese indie band Adonis, who return to the city with a one-night-only show on 3 July at Dubai Opera; TJ Monterde at Coca-Cola Arena on 13 July; and Shreya Ghoshal at Dubai World Trade Centre on 19 July. Other highlights include Sufi maestro Sagar Bhatia taking to the stage at Coca-Cola Arena on 16 August; pop icon Natalie Imbruglia performing live at Dubai Opera on 23 August; the Made in Kuwaiti theatrical production at Dubai Opera on 29 and 30 August, and several other electrifying performances to be announced in the coming weeks. SHOP AND SAVE Dubai's ultimate summer shopping spree kicks off across the entire city with 9 weeks of thrill-packed retail moments, framed around three themed shopping seasons featuring exclusive sales, immersive activations, limited-time flash sales, mind-blowing discounts, and unmissable savings across more than 800 brands at over 3,000 outlets for 66 non-stop days. Shoppers can unlock unique experiences and big rewards at every turn, from Cool Off at The Beach, JBR to Win your School Fees and many more promotions throughout the summer. Expect surprise deals daily, with limited-time campaigns like Beat The Clock with Rivoli Group, the Dubai Hills Mall One Day Sale, Shop For Free Weekend with Al Jaber Optical, the Gold & Jewellery Flash Sale at Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group participating retailers, and several other campaigns offering unbeatable value on fashion, tech, and luxury favourites - perfect for refreshing wardrobes, restocking essentials, and treating loved ones to something special. And that's not all, DSS 2025 will continue to surprise shoppers with even more chances to win. Keep an eye out for loyalty programme rewards including Amber Millionaire, the AURA Millionaire draw, Win 1 Million Skywards Miles with Skywards Everyday, and many details will be revealed in the coming weeks, so stay tuned! STAYCATIONS AND FAMILY FUN DSS is the best-value time of year to enjoy Dubai's world-class leisure scene, with exclusive summer offers at more than 100 hotels and 15 top attractions across the city. Think resident rates, family packages, free upgrades, added extras, and surprise perks designed to help friends, families, children, parents, grandparents, and every extended family member in between relax, recharge, and experience more of Dubai for less. The DSS Entertainer makes its highly anticipated return from 27 June to 31 August, unlocking over 7,500 buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) offers across a superb selection of hotels, dining spots, gyms, spas, and attractions for AED 195. Valid for three months from the date of activation, it allows residents and visitors to enjoy exclusive savings throughout the summer and beyond. With access to top destinations like Wild Wadi, Motiongate Dubai, and IMG Worlds of Adventure, plus culinary favourites such as STK, Shake Shack, and Le Pain Quotidien, there's something for every kind of outing. FITNESS FOR ALL Fitness events take centre stage this DSS, with a vibrant line-up of indoor mall runs designed for families, children, and wellness lovers of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. The season kicks off on 28 June at Dubai Hills Mall, with an exclusive DSS run powered by Skechers - promising high-energy mornings of movement, prizes, and fun. The momentum shifts to Jump Start DXB – RX Run series at City Centre Mirdif on 6 July and Mall of the Emirates on 3 August, both hosted in partnership with Dubai Sports Council and RX Coffee. DSS is also hosting its own fun runs at Ibn Battuta Mall on 13 July and Dubai Festival City Mall on 31 August, each offering a lively, family-friendly way to stay active and soak up the DSS buzz. For football fans, The Messi Experience at Dubai Festival City Mall promises an immersive journey into the world of football until 31 August, packed with interactive games, photo ops, and engaging zones for all ages. EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE MODESH & DANA Of course, no DSS is complete without a little magic from Dubai's most beloved mascots. This season, Modesh and Dana will be popping up across Dubai to delight families with school visits, mall meet-and-greets, and surprise appearances at top attractions, spreading smiles and summer spirit wherever they go. Expect playful citywide decorations, surprise giveaways, collaborations with brands like DAMAS and Bond Café, and all-new merchandise and interactive family activations throughout DSS at Modesh Store. With thousands of things to do, see, and experience every day, DSS 2025 transforms the city into the ultimate summer playground. From unbeatable savings to only-in-Dubai moments, this is a season made for exploring, indulging, and making the most of a summer well spent. Dubai Summer Surprises 2025 is supported by Key Sponsor Commercial Bank of Dubai and Strategic Partners which include: Al Futtaim Malls (Dubai Festival City Mall & Festival Plaza), Al Zarooni Group (Mercato Shopping Mall), AW Rostamani Group, DHAM (Al Seef, Bluewaters, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall, and The Outlet Village), Emirates Airline, ENOC, e&, Majid Al Futtaim (City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, Mall of the Emirates), Merex Investment (City Walk and The Beach, JBR), and talabat. For more information, visit the Dubai Summer Surprises website and follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram and TikTok. About Dubai Summer Surprises 2025: Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2025 takes over the city for its 28th edition from 27 June to 31 August, showcasing the summer as one of the best value times of the year to experience Dubai. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the most value-packed edition of DSS this year promises a summer well spent for everyone with thousands of offers and things to do for 66 non-stop days. For the first time ever in DSS history, the city's retail sector is anchored around three distinct shopping seasons - Summer Holiday Offers from 27 June to 17 July, Great Dubai Summer Sale from 18 July to 10 August, and Back to School from 11 to 31 August. Each period unlocks exclusive new retail promotions, spectacular mall activations, and life-changing raffles, alongside world-class gastronomy, hospitality, indoor family fun, and a packed events calendar. Bringing together a mix of not-to-be-missed, brand-new experiences and returning festival favourites for every preference and price point, there are endless reasons to stay, play, shop, and celebrate an exciting summer season together. DSS 2025 truly delivers unforgettable moments for everyone, whether families, friends, couples, residents, or visitors. About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment: Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai's retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events. For further information, please contact: Dubai Economy and Tourism mediarelations@
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spending on groceries vs restaurants: What the data shows
The latest retail sales report showed that consumers are still going out to eat. That's a good sign about the health of the US consumer, as Market Domination Anchor Julie Hyman explains in the video above. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Asking for a Trend here. Well, investors and economists watch these retail sales numbers closely, of course, because they provide a barometer, a window into consumer spending. But there's something more specific that Tom Simons, the chief US economist over at Jeffries watches, and that's the relationship between grocery store shopping, or food at home, as many economists call it, and buying in restaurants. And the trend that we have seen since the pandemic, in particular, is that grocery store sales have sort of flattened out, and we can continue to see restaurants trend higher. He said, if consumers were worried, right, they would be trading down, they would be trying to save money by eating more at home and spending more at grocery stores, and not going out as much. And even though last month we saw both of those numbers tick down very slightly, the longer term relationship, he says, does remain intact and suggests that, when coupled with things like OpenTable reservation data, shows that consumers are still willing to spend. On the flip side, we also talked to Chris Hodge. He's the chief US economist over at Nat Texas CIB, CIB Americas. And he said, yes, we have seen that, but he noted that there has been something of a flattening in overall discretionary categories. So, he looks at restaurants, but he also couples it with what he considers to also be discretionary, things like sporting goods, for example. And there he sees a little bit more of a flattening. So, as always, there's a lot of data to look at and a lot of ways to interpret it. At least for Tom Simons of Jeffries, this chart gives him some reason for optimism, Josh. All right. Thank you, Julie. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
