United Arab Emirates

In line with general alcoholic drinks trends, wine in the United Arab Emirates experienced further momentum of premiumisation in 2023. Wine is considered a more premium category than others by nature, which is why the move towards premiumisation has…

For the first time since 2020 at the height of the pandemic, off-trade outpaced on-trade within spirits in the United Arab Emirates, both in terms of volume and value growth. The channel was supported by the easier process of obtaining an alcohol…

In line with global trends, most RTDs available in the United Arab Emirates are spirit-based. The presence of wine-based or malt-based RTDs is marginal in the local market. This is because of a cultural background of mixed expatriates, most of whom…

Among other alcoholic drinks categories, the price of cider/perry in the United Arab Emirates tends to be discounted in off-trade channels during December and January due to the festive season in Dubai. These are the months when many expatriates…

As a category that is mainly distributed by the off-trade channel, beer in the United Arab Emirates benefited the most from the recent removal of 30% retail sales tax in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Since Dubai sells greater volumes of beer than any other…

Alcoholic drinks in the United Arab Emirates witnessed another year of success in 2023, demonstrating double- digit off-trade growth in both volume and value terms. Sales were fuelled by two factors. First, the arrival of expatriates from Russia,…

This report provides valuable insights into product innovation in the United Arab Emirates, analysing data from Euromonitor’s Innovation platform. The report covers the Food and Beverage categories, showing the level of new brand and sub-brand launch…

Tobacco in the United Arab Emirates is a strong and a well-established industry. Although globally, tobacco is facing challenges, it still demonstrates healthy growth in the United Arab Emirates. One reason is cultural heritage and a strong habit of…

Heated tobacco products in the United Arab Emirates recorded the most impressive growth rates within the local tobacco industry in 2023, followed by e-vapour products. Both tobacco heating devices and heated tobacco recorded double-digit retail…

After cigarettes, pipe tobacco in the United Arab Emirates remains the most popular category in the local industry, which is determined by the historical significance of shisha, the traditional Middle Eastern pipe device. Shisha tobacco comprises the…

Despite the huge success of e-vapour products and heated tobacco products, cigarettes in the United Arab Emirates continued to record healthy growth in 2023. The smoking tradition is very strong in Arabic culture, and both locals and expatriates…

In 2024, travellers from China have fully resumed their activities due to the easing of restrictions in the country, including a return to the United Arab Emirates. This is helping to boost demand for luxury sunglasses in the United Arab Emirates, as…

Within spectacles in the United Arab Emirates, spectacle lenses remains the strongest performer. Progressive lenses are increasingly sought after for their smooth transition between vision zones, addressing diverse visual needs. Single vision lenses…

In 2024, eyewear in the United Arab Emirates is experiencing marginal volume growth but solid value growth. This indicates a further rise in average unit prices across the industry and an increase in premiumisation. The surge in spending in premium…

New launches of contact lenses in the United Arab Emirates are starting to emerge, although they are premium versions of leading brands from the likes of Johnson & Johnson’s 1-Day Acuvue and Acuvue Oasys, and Alcon’s Air Optix and Dailies (locally…

In 2023, video games in the United Arab Emirates recorded further dynamic growth, with winners and losers emerging in various categories. Among the fastest performers were AR/VR headsets and hand-held consoles, driven by the release of upgraded…

In 2023, traditional toys and games in the United Arab Emirates recorded significant value growth, driven by several key factors. Products incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and catering for the rising demand for…

In 2023, toys and games in the United Arab Emirates continued to experience a significant transformation, shaped by evolving consumer preferences, technological innovations, and socioeconomic factors. Prior to the review period, the share of…

In 2023, sustainability became a paramount focus across various categories, including homewares in the United Arab Emirates, as brands aligned themselves with the nation's eco-friendly objectives. Notably, even smaller startups are contributing to…

In the United Arab Emirates, residents are increasingly drawn to purchasing older properties, typically at least 10 years old, with the intention of renovating and personalising them at a lower cost. This strategy has proven successful, resulting in…