Technology, shifting consumer choices shaping UAE retail sector
The UAE's retail sector is evolving rapidly, driven by competition, technology, and changing consumer behaviour. A Yardstick Marketing report, referencing Statista insights, highlights a post-pandemic shift in inventory management, shopping experiences, and delivery models.
Globally, as inflationary pressures ease and interest rates decline, the global retail sector is expected to see a resurgence. E-commerce sales are projected to surpass $8 trillion by 2027. 'In the UAE, retail is an experience, spanning luxury malls to traditional souqs. Statista reports retail sales forecasted to reach $139 billion by 2028. With this strong momentum, we are excited about the industry's expansion and our role in shaping its future,' Shuja Jashanmal, Group CEO, Jashanmal National Company, told Khaleej Times in an interview.
Ramadan and Eid sales have historically been very significant events in Jashanmal's retail calendar. 'A standout category this year for the group has been women's fashion, where both MAX&Co and Reiss performed exceptionally well, recording over 20 per cent growth year on year,' Jashanmal said.
Additionally, gift cards continue to be a popular choice, with demand surging from the first week of Ramadan and peaking in the final week leading up to Eid. Over the past two years, the overlap of Mother's Day with Ramadan has further driven sales. 'This year, we saw an impressive 50 per cent increase in gift card sales compared to last year, highlighting their growing popularity as a preferred gifting option,' Jashanmal said.
The UAE continues to be one of the most mobile-centric and omnichannel retail markets globally, with consumers gravitating towards online shopping for better deals, rewards, and personalised experiences.
With the growing popularity of mobile shopping, the company has strategically invested in Jashanmal.com, which was launched in April 2020. 'Since its inception, the platform has consistently recorded double-digit year-on-year growth, reflecting strong consumer engagement. In addition to our own e-commerce platform, we manage the websites for several of our franchise brands, including Bally, Clarks, Replay, Delsey, and Kipling, ensuring a seamless online shopping experience across multiple categories,' Jashanmal said.
At Jashanmal Group, home products and gifting experienced significant growth this Ramadan, driven by the strong cultural tradition of social gatherings and gift-giving during the holy month. Among the standout categories, coffee machines saw the highest surge in demand, with De'Longhi coffee machines performing exceptionally well across all channels throughout the month. Another product that captured customer interest was the retro-style refrigerators from Hoover UAE, which became particularly popular for placement in majlis of the Emirati households.
'This trend highlights the continued preference for premium and stylish home appliances during Ramadan, reflecting both functional and aesthetic considerations in consumer choices,' Jashanmal said.
Additionally, this year saw a rising interest in digital gift cards, reflecting a shift towards convenience and personalisation. The UAE's digital gift card market is expanding rapidly, fuelled by evolving consumer preferences, personalisation, and the shift towards cashless transactions. The global gift card industry, valued at $450 billion in 2023, is on track to reach $1.5 trillion by 2032, with MENA's segment projected to hit $6 billion by 2026.
'The power of choice is the biggest reason behind the rising popularity of gift cards. They offer a seamless gifting experience, making it easier for both the giver and the receiver to select something they truly value. Convenience and personalisation remain key drivers,' Jashanmal said.
As competition in the UAE's gift card market intensifies, consumers increasingly value the ability to shop at their own pace. The option to top up personal funds further enhances the experience, enabling recipients to purchase higher-value items. 'Additionally, businesses integrating gift cards into loyalty programmes and corporate incentives are further driving adoption. With these factors in play, digital gift cards are set to maintain strong growth in the coming years,' Jashanmal said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
11 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi holds awareness sessions about Emirati Family Growth Programme, Numou and Medeem initiative
21 June 2025 13:17 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Community Development (DCD), in collaboration with the Presidential Court Majalis Abu Dhabi, has hosted a series of sessions for community members to raise awareness on the Medeem initiative and the Emirati Family Growth Program, sessions shed light on the objectives and successes of both initiatives, encouraging youth and soon-to-be-married couples to embrace an approach rooted in Emirati heritage—one that promotes simplicity, mutual understanding, and shared responsibility as the foundation for happy, stable sessions, which were attended by Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of DCD, and Engineer Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Undersecretary of DCD, and included a series of interactive discussion sessions across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al sessions fostered direct engagement with community members, addressing their questions, gathering feedback, and sharing insights on the design and impact of both Medeem and highlighted the critical role of the sessions as open forums for meaningful dialogue where youth and families can share their experiences, including success stories from Medeem, which has empowered couples to build stable marriages with reduced financial burdens. Aligned with the Year of the Community, the department reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with partners like Majalis Abu Dhabi to deliver tailored community programmes that meet the needs of the youth and Emirati families. These efforts underscore the enduring importance of reaching diverse segments of the community across all regions of the emirate. The sessions were held at various community majalis across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, including Baniyas Majlis, Al Aliah Majlis, Mazid Majlis, Al Masoudi Majlis, and Mohammed Al Mahmoud Majlis. In the Al Dhafra region, a session was also hosted at the Madinat Zayed Majlis. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
NAMA's programme empowers women across Sharjah
When Mariam Al Naqbi, a mother from Al Madam in Sharjah, started teaching her children about saving during dinner, it was more than just a new routine. It reflected a deeper shift in how she viewed money, no longer just a source of stress, but a means to plan, learn, and even dream. She was one of nearly 200 women across Sharjah who recently participated in the 'Financial Literacy Programme' organised by NAMA Women Advancement (NAMA). Participants in Sharjah city, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, and Al Madam engaged in practical training designed to demystify personal finance and provide effective strategies for saving, budgeting, and informed spending. Building financial confidence Led by financial consultant Salah Al Halyan, the programme moved beyond theory, and participants were encouraged to apply what they learned in real-life scenarios, from creating monthly budgets to assessing the risks and benefits of borrowing. The sessions focused on building financial confidence, particularly among women at the early stages of their professional or family journeys. For Latifa Al Mulla from Kalba, the course offered something she had long needed: clarity. 'I felt like I finally had a roadmap,' she said. 'I used to feel overwhelmed by monthly expenses. Now I see where the money goes, and I feel in control.' The programme also instilled the confidence needed to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions. One participant from Dibba Al Hisn, who had shelved her dream of starting a small home business, said the training gave her both the numbers and the mindset to move forward. 'I always thought finance was too complicated for me. Now I know how to plan and start with what I have.' Such outcomes reflect a broader philosophy that drives NAMA's efforts, with the belief that true empowerment begins with understanding. The organization emphasises that financial literacy is not just a useful skill but is essential for long-term stability, security, and meaningful economic participation. UAE benchmark for balance and equal opportunity While the course was tailored to women's personal experiences, its relevance extends to national priorities as well. According to the UAE Ministry of Finance, Emirati women account for 54.7 per cent of employees in the federal financial sector and hold 42.8 per cent of its leadership positions. In total, they represent more than three-quarters of the workforce in this field. These figures point to a wider trend, the growing role of women in shaping the country's financial future. Among Emirati youth, 78.12 per cent are female, underscoring the importance of early, sustained investment in their capabilities. Under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, the organisation has prioritised financial education as a tool for personal growth and community resilience. Initiatives like the 'Financial Literacy Programme' are part of a broader push to equip women not only to participate in economic life, but to lead it. For Mariam, Aisha, and their fellow participants, the programme's impact is vividly clear. It's reflected in newly drafted savings plans, and carefully managed household budgets that now guide their financial decisions. This shift to informed action and confidence empowers their financial journeys, actively shaping their futures.
Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah shines light on experience as World Book Capital
The authority's participation in the largest event of its kind in Latin America, which runs until June 22, comes as part of Brazil's celebration of World Book Capitals following the selection of Rio de Janeiro as the World Book Capital for 2025. This prestigious title, which Sharjah held in 2019, recognises the emirate's global standing in supporting culture and the publishing industry. Through its pavilion, SBA shed light on the diversity of the cultural movement in the UAE and the wider Arab world, highlighting major achievements in knowledge, literature and publishing. The authority actively engaged in panel discussions and held meetings with publishers, translators and cultural organisations, to strengthen knowledge exchange and expand opportunities for translating works to and from Arabic. As part of its efforts to build lasting partnerships, SBA invited key players in the publishing industry to take part in the emirate's leading international initiatives, including the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference and other prominent global events held throughout the year. Commitment to cultural dialogue His Highness Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, affirmed that the authority's participation in the Rio International Book Fair reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who places culture at the heart of development strategies and views books as a powerful tool for building bridges of dialogue with the world. Al Ameri said: 'Sharjah's presence in Rio highlights the central role of Emirati and Arab culture on the global knowledge map. Today, we are not only sharing our Emirati identity but also fostering a vibrant dialogue between Latin America, with its rich intellectual and cultural heritage, and the Arab world in all its expressions of thought, literature, art, and creativity. The selection of Rio as World Book Capital for 2025 offers us an opportunity to renew and strengthen our partnerships with the cultural community in Latin America.' He added: 'Under the guidance of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, we are committed to empowering Emirati and Arab publishers and authors to reach new markets and to developing sustainable support systems that enhance their presence on the global publishing stage.' The Sharjah-led new literary movement As part of the cultural programme at the book fair, SBA organised a panel discussion titled "The heritage of Arab literature and Sharjah-led new literary movement", which explored the evolution of the Emirati literary landscape and the emirate's vital contribution to nurturing writers and advancing cultural initiatives. The session featured renowned Emirati authors whose works have been translated into Portuguese by SBA, including Abdul Hamid Ahmad, author of 'On the edge of the day'; Lulwah Al Mansouri, author of 'We came out of the rib of a mountain'; and Nasser Al Dhaheri, author of 'Wearing salt and his palms are ash'. On the sidelines of the event, SBA organised a special book signing ceremony for the translated titles, underscoring the authority's commitment to deepening cultural exchange and strengthening the international presence of Emirati literature. Showcasing Sharjah's publishing initiatives During its participation, SBA highlighted several of its leading initiatives in publishing and knowledge exchange. These include the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. The authority also introduced the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), an initiative designed to support publishing industries in emerging markets, and the Sharjah Literary Agency, which works to protect the rights of Arab authors and publishers while expanding their international presence. The authority has also drawn attention to the role of Sharjah Public Libraries, one of the region's oldest cultural institutions, which has been promoting knowledge for more than a century. Publishers have been briefed on the specialist international conferences hosted annually in the emirate, including the Sharjah Publishers Conference, the Sharjah International Library Conference, the Booksellers Conference and the Sharjah Animation Conference. The Sharjah pavilion also hosted the PublisHer initiative, the global platform founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to champion the role of women in publishing and create meaningful opportunities for female publishers to connect, collaborate and exchange knowledge. The pavilion also showcased a curated selection of titles from Al Qasimi Publications, alongside a diverse range of works from the Department of Culture that highlight the depth and richness of Sharjah's cultural landscape. First held in 1983, the Rio International Book Fair has grown into Brazil's largest literary festival. Organised by the National Union of Book Publishers (SNEL) in collaboration with major publishing houses, the fair attracts hundreds of writers and more than 600,000 visitors each year, serving as a key platform for cultural exchange and the sharing of ideas.
