United Arab Emirates

A noticeable shift in consumer demand is impacting bleach, with a transition from pandemic-driven preventive use to cleaning and whitening purposes. This shift has resulted in a slowdown in the category's retail volume growth compared to the surge in…

The landscape of hotel bookings is undergoing a transformative shift, with direct bookings increasingly challenging the role of intermediaries and encouraging customers to choose a more personalised approach, particularly business travellers. This…

With the emerging inflation and competitive landscape being reshaped, private label is starting to regain shelf space in many categories, including bottled water. Since water is considered a basic and affordable product in consumers’ minds, private…

Retail demand for breakfast cereals continues to grow in the United Arab Emirates. Since local consumers have resumed busy schedules, many of them find breakfast cereals a quick and convenient option. RTE cereals are easy to prepare, thereby saving…

Due to inflationary pressures arising from global supply chain issues, recent price increases in retail have impacted dairy categories, and butter and spreads is no exception. Moreover, due to rising health awareness, some consumers are also veering…

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…

Across carbonates, reduced sugar options are gaining popularity in the United Arab Emirates. This trend is being widely supported by advertising and promotions. Hypermarkets and forecourt retailers are introducing floor and shelf banners advertising…

Demand for cat food is steadily growing in the United Arab Emirates. The increase in cat ownership, which is already considerably higher than that of dogs, is driving volume growth in the category. Cat ownership is preferred in the United Arab…

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…

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…

In the past, luxury brands often imported their marketing strategies directly from their European headquarters to the United Arab Emirates. However, the pandemic underscored the significance of localising marketing efforts, as the consumer base…

The number of health-conscious consumers in the United Arab Emirates is rising, resulting in increasing demand for healthy snacks. The perception of a healthy diet has gradually changed in the domestic market. Local consumers used to consider sweets…

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…

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…

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…

Recent inflation, the demand for premium indulgence and strong coffee traditions are shaping the category in a way that offers sufficient products within each price segment. Premium coffee options in multiple blends and flavours are offered by…

The demand for multifunctional products within colour cosmetics in the United Arab Emirates, such as BB/CC creams, is burgeoning. Demand is being driven by their time-saving benefits, skin care properties, and adaptation to diverse skin tones in a…

Consumer preferences in the United Arab Emirates are shifting, presenting challenges for desktops as the latter continues to post declines. These devices are likely to experience a further drop in demand in the coming years, attributed to factors…

Demand for both powder concentrates and liquid concentrates has been declining in the United Arab Emirates for several years. General health awareness and concerns around sugar consumption are discouraging local consumers from purchasing these…

After two years of declining sales, confectionery packaging recorded positive growth in its packaging unit volumes again in 2022. However, the growth was modest as rising awareness of the potential negative effects of consuming confectionery, such as…