Let's face it, there aren't that many surprises about a summer in Dubai.

Your glasses steam up the minute you step outside, it's so hot your skin feels like it may start peeling off, and then there's Modhesh. Enough said.

Luckily, the summer sales are predictable, in a good way, and there are bargains galore to be had, if you know where to go. Time Out hits the malls, and the internet, to find out where to get the best buys

Massimo Dutti: Fancy yourself as a bit of a brooding academic, with a touch of lothario thrown in for good measure? Then Massimo Dutti is the place
for you. There's 40 per cent off in store at the moment and bargains to be had with shirts starting at Dhs70 and jeans from Dhs140. Call 04 295 0861 for more information.

Ikea: If you're one of the unlucky people facing eviction in Satwa or Jumeirah, it could be time to furnish a new house. If this is the case, Ikea is definitely worth a visit. Take a peek at their summer sale and save yourself up to Dhs1000 on selected items. Offers run until the end of July so get your skates on. Call 04 2037555 for more information.

Lucky Brand Jeans: Always a popular stop, for those on the hunt for cool casualwear, but never a cheap option. For the next month Lucky's have cut some prices in half to celebrate Dubai Summer Surprises. We stumbled across a nice white camisole down from Dhs299 to Dhs150. Call 04 3411 445 for more information.

Amazon: Yes, even the world's most popular online shop has jumped on the summer sale bandwagon and it's better than we could ever have dreamed. Best-selling books from US$10 and buy anything worth US$25 or more from the kids range and receive a brilliant Mr. Potato Head model free. Plus, there's no need to brave the malls, Amazon deliver to Dubai. www.amazon.com

Opera: The pricey shoe emporium is offering up to 40 per cent off its designer footwear this month. We found Christian Dior sandals reduced by 30 per cent and Dolce & Gabbana boots for 40 per cent less than their usual price. Call 04 324 2431 for more information.

S*uce, Village Mall: One of Time Out's all-time favourite shops, but usually a tad out of our budget, we were delighted to discover the 60 per cent off sale. Look out for the Sienna Miller-designed 28/12 range. You never know, a pair of Miss Miller's denims might help you channel the style secrets of the lady herself. Call 04 344 7270 for more information.

Plug-Ins Electronix: Known to you and I simply as Plug-Ins at Dubai Festival City, or maybe we didn't read the sign properly. Anyway, enough of that, they're having their very own sale on laptops called a ‘laptop fiesta'. This means that when you buy one of their shiny new models, you get a travel kit worth Dhs250 as well as the chance to win Dhs10,000 of travel vouchers when you enter the prize draw. Not bad going if your laptop's on the blink and you're dreaming of an escape. Deals start at Dhs3849 for an HP Paviliion DV6820 notebook. www.pluginselectronix.com

Cerruti: The playground, of the man who loves Massimo Dutti, but occasionally slips up and partakes in a night out in Zinc. Still, there's 50 per cent off at the moment and there are some great deals on suits. Worth a look, for the boys. Call 04 3242330 for more information.

My wardrobe: Time Out can't argue with 75 per cent off anything and that includes the brilliant range of accessories on offer from this fab find. We loved the Dubai friendly light grey J-Brand jeans for Dhs200. How polite. www.mywardrobe.com

Dubai Outlet Mall: Forget one-off sales, it's always bargain time here. Boutique 1 have a discount store, as do Mango and Monsoon. There are also shoe, sports and electrical outlets aplenty, all with a minimum of 25% off, all year round. www.dubaioutletmall.com

Monsoon: With up to 75 per cent off most stock in store, Monsoon is an excellent stop on the sale trail. What's more, it's got women's and children's stuff in the same shop, so you can placate the little darlings with an outfit of their own while you peruse the rails. This seasons Maxi dresses from Dhs120. It would be rude not to at least try one on. Call 04 2326601 for more information.

The One: Fast-becoming the rightful daddy of Dubai interiors, The One's sales are legendary. If you haven't experienced one of their Dhs10 giveaways, you haven't lived. Unfortunately, the summer sale hasn't reached these proportions yet, but there is 40 per cent off lots of the stock. We spotted a particularly nice Copenhagen silver mirror reduced from Dhs3495 to Dhs2446. Sadly it wouldn't fit in the taxi. Note to self: must learn to drive in Dubai. Call 04 351 4424 for more information.

Carpetland/Rugland: Not the most inspiring of stores, but everyone likes a rug. There are huge deals on at the moment, 75 per cent off to be precise, so if a carpet's on the cards you could do a lot worse than pop along for a look. Offer valid everywhere except the Lamcy branch until August 22. Call 04 3777677 for more information.

Sony summer surprises at Jumbo Electronics: This Time Outer isn't a fan of shopping for electrical goods but manages to have a surprisingly good time in Jumbo. Imagine our excitement when we spotted the sales signs. LCD TVs with free delivery and installation from Dhs2499. Who needs friends? That's the summer sorted. www.jumbocorp.com

Net-a-Porter: Designer duds delivered straight to your Dubai doorstep, well, PO BOX, what could be better? A sale, that's what. With reductions of up to 50 per cent on some of the world's hottest designer labels, from Missoni and Mui Mui to Sass & Bide to Sergio Rossi Time Out can handle waiting for the post to arrive. www.net-a-porter.com

The Living Zone: You know the one, it's called Bombay on the outside, but all the stock is marked as belonging to The Living Zone when you get in. Nevertheless, Time Out likes this store's work, especially where the sales are concerned. On the day we stopped by there was almost a skirmish over the last cut-price bed in one range and we spotted a lovely yellow studded jewelry box reduced from Dhs490 to Dhs245. No, we're not blind, it was really nice. Call 04 324 5255 for more information.

Mamas & Papas: For those in favour of buying their children posh frocks, M & Ps has some pretty good deals at the moment. There's 40 per cent off some kidswear, most of which is aimed at girlie girls, but there are a few unisex bits and pieces like booties from Dhs30 and multipacks of bibs. We hear these are quite handy for babies. Call 04 3240230 for more information.

Accessorize: All of our favourite bags, bracelets, and everything in between, and at least half of them have 70 per cent off at the moment. We spotted a particularly nice pink embroidered beach bag down from Dhs160 to Dhs80. What a bargain. Call 04 295 0725 for more information.

Club Monaco: Never the cheapest of places but always a popular one, Club Monaco is giving us 25 per cent off everything in store. There are some cool dresses in at the moment but they're still coming in for Dhs600 with a discount which we feel is a little pricey for what they are. There's more choice in menswear with plain t-shirts going for Dhs150. Call 04 3244426 for more information.

Borders: If you could do with a couple of new books to take on your holidays, check out Borders 40 per cent sale on selected tomes. Bestsellers are on three for two while travel guides have some of the best money off deals. Perfect, for those with a getaway to plan. Call 04 3415758 for more information.