United Arab Emirates

In 2023, retail sales in the United Arab Emirates continued to grow at a reasonably positive level, although growth rates were marginally slower compared to the previous year. This slowdown was indicative of stability in retail’s performance after a…

In the United Arab Emirates, the packaging landscape has been seeing notable developments in 2022 across various product categories. PET bottles have gained popularity in the dairy category due to their lightweight, durable and transparent nature,…

Sustainability is becoming a key focus for both manufacturers and consumers in soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates. Recycled bottles and reduced waste are core topics within the industry. Following global trends, players have started to launch…

Rising disposable incomes in the United Arab Emirates are empowering consumers to opt for higher-quality, longer-lasting home products. Concerns surrounding inflation and economic uncertainty are encouraging consumers to choose more durable goods…

An important and continuing trend driving men's grooming in the United Arab Emirates is the increasing fascination with luxury and high-end grooming merchandise. As the local economy flourishes, an increasing number of consumers are open to investing…

Demand for beauty and personal care in the United Arab Emirates remained strong in 2023. Despite the prevalence of global brands, some consumers, particularly younger generations, increasingly sought local brands such as Huda Beauty. Increased…

Pet care is experiencing growth across the different categories, not only for dog and cat food, but also for other pet food in the United Arab Emirates targeting birds, fish and small mammals/reptiles as these populations grow. Owning a pet is…

The launch of Davidoff’s new fresh ground coffee pods in 2023 featured thin wall plastic containers with aluminium lids as closures. The choice of aluminium lids was due to their excellent sealing properties, ensuring freshness and preserving the…

While large supermarkets and hypermarkets continued to dominate grocery retailers in value terms in 2023, small local grocers in the United Arab Emirates experienced a resurgence towards the end of the review period. Operators of small local grocers…

In 2023, cafés/bars in the United Arab Emirates gained further growth momentum following a full recovery to pre-pandemic value sales levels the previous year, benefiting both chained and independent operators. Specialist tea and coffee shops was one…

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…

The e-commerce landscape in the United Arab Emirates presents a competitive environment, yet it remains receptive to novel entrants equipped with innovative concepts or specialised propositions. Notably, the shift in consumer behaviour towards an…

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…

Despite rising price sensitivity and the solid growth of the mass segment, premium beauty and personal care in the United Arab Emirates also experienced a robust performance in 2023. Amid global challenges in beauty and personal care, the United Arab…

Retail value sales of mass beauty and personal care in the United Arab Emirates continued to rise in 2023. Increasing costs such as rent and utilities have been placing financial pressure on certain consumers in the United Arab Emirates, causing them…

Demand for baby and child-specific products in the United Arab Emirates continued to rise in 2023, while value growth remained more dynamic. Local parents today are more informed about the ingredients in baby and child-specific products due to online…

In 2023, one noteworthy trend observed within nappies/diapers/pants in the United Arab Emirates was the substantial growth of private label and smaller players under “others”, albeit from a low base. This surge directly contributed to major brands…

In 2023, value sales of full-service restaurants in the United Arab Emirates fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, despite a lag in terms of transaction and outlet numbers. However, an increase in unit prices drove higher spend per transaction. In…

In 2023, tissue and hygiene in the United Arab Emirates faced inflationary challenges due to the soaring cost of essential raw materials, such as pulp and energy. Players responded by adjusting prices or reducing pack sizes, prompting consumers to…

2023 witnessed an uptick in volume and value sales of retail adult incontinence in the United Arab Emirates, with sales of both light and moderate/heavy formats performing well. This growth was primarily fuelled by increasing awareness of…

Consumers in the United Arab Emirates are increasingly seeking appliances and electronics with smart features and connectivity, driving growth of products such as smart TVs, AI-powered washing machines, and connected refrigerators. Local consumers…

Consumers are increasingly seeking greater control over their personal health, aligning with a new perspective on wellness that emphasises long-term and preventive measures. This shift is fuelling the growth of digital health solutions and hyper…

The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of the travel industry’s recovery, and in 2023, there has been a significant development: the complete resurgence of international travel. This resurgence has led to increasing demand for luggage.…

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, home and garden in the United Arab Emirates witnessed stable growth, propelled by several key factors. Chief among these was the rise in disposable incomes among local residents, which enabled consumers to allocate greater funds to enhancing…

In 2023, one significant growth driver of bath and shower in the United Arab Emirates was the increasing interest among consumers in giving these products as gifts. Various products in the category, with their diverse scents, luxurious textures, and…

In 2023, value sales of apparel and footwear specialists in the United Arab Emirates continued to recover from the significant impact of the pandemic, when the channel recorded a double-digit decline in 2020. A return to in-store shopping (despite…

Self-service cafeterias in the United Arab Emirates witnessed growth across value sales, transactions and outlet numbers in 2023. The population of the United Arab Emirates increased over the review period supported by a significant rate of natural…

Value sales, outlet numbers and number of transactions via limited-service restaurants in the United Arab Emirates all fell significantly in 2020, seeing double-digit declines due to the impact of COVID-19. However, the channel recorded a strong…

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…

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…

Variety stores in the United Arab Emirates continued to experience significant growth in 2023, outperforming department stores, the other main channel in general merchandise stores. This was not only due to the affordable prices offered by these…

This report provides valuable insights into product innovation in the UAE, analysing data from Euromonitor’s Innovation Platform. The report covers the Beauty, Health and Home categories, showing the level of new brand and sub-brand launch activity.…

Beauty specialists in the United Arab Emirates, exemplified by the likes of Sephora, continued to place a strong emphasis on fostering a sense of community and rewards in 2023. Loyalty initiatives, such as the Sephora Beauty Pass, help unite a…

Street stalls/kiosks in the United Arab Emirates, severely impacted by the pandemic and related restrictions in 2020, continued to recover across all indicators in 2023. As the United Arab Emirates eased all COVID-19 restrictions in September 2022,…

Value sales of consumer foodservice through travel in the United Arab Emirates fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. This location benefited from the reopening of borders and the resumption of travel and tourism the previous year, with some…

Sales of handheld vacuum cleaners are currently on the rise in the United Arab Emirates, driven by the introduction of new and improved products. While cylinder vacuum cleaners still dominate demand with their well-established cleaning power,…

Amid ongoing trends, players are steadfastly focusing on innovation as a pivotal strategy to drive sales of microwaves. In the United Arab Emirates, there is a distinct emphasis on energy consumption, a factor presenting limitations on sales growth…

Aligned with historical patterns, there is expected to be an ongoing decrease in the number of charge cards in circulation in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, even though transaction value is set to show growth across both the commercial and…

Demand for baked goods continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates. The local market is a major tourist destination, and the opening of society since the ending of pandemic-related restrictions means that tourism is booming. Events being held in…

Insights and data on the traditional automotive sector and the mobility industry can help businesses examine how changing travel patterns will impact future consumer behaviour. Growing climate pressures and rising urbanisation rates are pushing…

Retail current value sales of experiential luxury grew in 2021 and 2022, when restrictions related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were still impacting travel. There is also a desire amongst consumers to spend on experiences rather than…

The changes in consumer behaviour brought about by the inflationary pressures that started in early 2022 resulted in a decline in retail volume sales of cheese in 2022, while current value sales remained positive. In 2023, although a return to retail…

Vegetable chips continue to gain in popularity in the United Arab Emirates as an alternative to traditional potato chips, as they are made from ingredients such as kale, sweet potatoes, or beets. Vegetable chips also tend to be baked or dehydrated…

Demand for refrigeration appliances in the United Arab Emirates continues to recover in 2023, driven by ongoing efforts in product innovation, continuous development of new products, and the integration of valuable enhancements. Factors such as the…

The level of awareness among local consumers regarding the importance of adopting healthy diets and lifestyles is growing in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, many local consumers are gaining a greater interest in incorporating fresh vegetables…

Demand for eggs continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates, despite further price increases. In the first quarter of 2023, the government approved a temporary hike in the average unit price of eggs by a maximum of 13%. This was approved due to the…

In line with the increasing local trend for private label across food and beverages, tea in the United Arab Emirates is also benefiting from the gradual emergence of private label. In the face of moderate inflation and overall fragmentation within…

The United Arab Emirates is home to a highly dynamic retail environment, where a brand’s entry and exit can occur fairly rapidly compared to more mature markets. In 2023, several formerly standalone brands, some of which had previously exited the…

In the United Arab Emirates, items such as gloves, belts, scarves, hats/caps are widely popular because local consumers have a strong penchant for accessorising their outfits. Being a fashion-forward market, there is an abundance of choices for…