United Arab Emirates

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…

The term “longevity” gained popularity in 2023 and evolved into a rapidly growing space with significant implications for beauty and wellness in the United Arab Emirates. This trend reflects the consumer desire to lead healthier, longer lives and…

Increasing awareness of sleep health is a significant trend set to drive the solid current value growth of sleep aids in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. As people are becoming more conscious of the vital role sleep plays in maintaining physical and…

The increasing demand for multifunctional appliances in the United Arab Emirates is being driven by several key factors. Notably, the rising interest in health-conscious cooking, combined with the need to optimise limited kitchen space, is propelling…

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…

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…

Snacks in the United Arab Emirates play a significant role in consumers’ lives. The motivation for purchasing snacks can be for various reasons, including an energy boost, hunger management, nutrient intake, mood enhancement, and social engagement.…

Demand for soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates (in both off-trade and on-trade channels) is growing in 2023, despite global economic challenges. The purchasing power of most local consumers remains high, as a major proportion of the population…

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…

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…

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…

Sports drinks in the United Arab Emirates remains a young category with further high growth potential following its dynamic performance in 2022 and 2023. The concept of fitness, increasingly integrated into consumers’ lifestyles, has only emerged…

The rise of new players in sports protein powder in the United Arab Emirates indicates a growing fitness and health culture, and provides consumers with a wider range of products from which to choose to align with their preferences. The explosion in…

Nike, adidas, and lululemon are among leading global sportswear brands that are embracing localisation strategies by introducing hijab and modest sportswear to cater for residents in the United Arab Emirates. adidas stands out with its comprehensive…

As noted in many countries around the world, consumers in the United Arab Emirates experienced weakened purchasing power in 2022 due to the impact of inflation on goods and services. However, in 2023, unlike in many other markets, consumers’…

The United Arab Emirates has a very diverse population, whereby potatoes are an important ingredient used in numerous dishes. Potatoes are the most consumed form of starchy roots in both retail and foodservice. Supported by a growing population in…

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,…

Although there are many initiatives to reduce sugar consumption, demand for sugar and sweeteners continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates. Sweets and desserts are culturally important in the United Arab Emirates, as they are often associated…

Like many snacks categories in the United Arab Emirates, sugar confectionery was negatively affected in 2020 by the emergence of the pandemic, whereby lockdown measures and the closure of schools resulted in a significant decline in sales. In the…

Although demand for sun care in the United Arab Emirates continued to improve in 2023, the category’s overall penetration of the local market remained fairly low. This is due to the rise of the “skinification” trend, stemming from consumers' desire…