For decades, supermarkets were viewed primarily as places where consumers purchased everyday essentials. Today, they are becoming something far more influential: wellness destinations.

Across the UAE, grocery retailers are expanding their health-focused assortments, introducing dedicated wellness sections, partnering with nutrition-led brands and using their reach to influence how consumers think about food, prevention and long-term wellbeing.

The transformation reflects a major shift in consumer behaviour. Health-conscious purchasing is no longer limited to a small group of fitness enthusiasts or specialised shoppers. Families, young professionals and older consumers are increasingly examining ingredients, reading labels and seeking products that support specific health goals.

Read more-Higher costs, tighter margins: How Hormuz disruptions are testing UAE food supplies

From gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives to probiotic beverages, plant-based foods and functional nutrition products, wellness has moved from the margins of the supermarket to the centre of the shopping experience.

Industry leaders believe this shift represents a fundamental change in the relationship between retailers and consumers. Supermarkets are no longer simply responding to demand, they are actively shaping healthier consumption habits.

Wellness moves from niche category to everyday shopping decision

Brian Ballinger, head of Commercial at Choithrams, said the retailer noticed that wellness had evolved significantly from being a specialised category into a mainstream consumer priority.

“Over the years, we have seen wellness move from a specialist purchase to a mainstream consideration,” Ballinger said.

“What was once driven by a small group of health-conscious consumers is now influencing purchasing decisions across families, young professionals, and older shoppers alike.”

According to Ballinger, consumers today are more knowledgeable about nutrition and increasingly want products that offer clear benefits, whether related to dietary requirements, preventative health or overall lifestyle improvement.

This behavioural change convinced retailers that wellness could no longer be treated as a limited shelf segment.

Customers are now actively searching for products that align with individual needs, including gluten-free options, dairy alternatives, plant-based foods and products free from refined sugar.

The result has been a rapid expansion of wellness-focused grocery offerings across the UAE.

The supermarket becomes the new health coach

Choithrams is among the retailers responding to this transformation by significantly expanding its wellness assortment.

The retailer now offers more than 1,000 wellness products, creating a broader ecosystem designed to support different consumer requirements.

Ballinger said the expansion was not driven by a target number but by the need to create a comprehensive destination where consumers could easily discover healthier choices.

“The expansion was driven by customer demand and the growing diversity of wellness needs,” he said.

“Rather than targeting a specific number, the objective was to create a comprehensive destination that could serve multiple customer requirements, from gluten-free and plant-based products to functional foods and better-for-you alternatives.”

The retailer has also focused on improving visibility through dedicated wellness sections, clearer segmentation and partnerships with brands operating in emerging health categories.

The strategy reflects a wider retail shift: making wellness easier to access.

Rather than requiring consumers to visit specialist stores or search extensively for healthier products, supermarkets are bringing these choices directly into everyday shopping routines.

UAE consumers are looking beyond traditional health claims

The definition of wellness itself has changed dramatically.

Five years ago, many consumers associated wellness primarily with dieting, weight loss or a narrow range of health foods. Today, the concept has expanded to include nutrition, mental wellbeing, preventative health and transparency around ingredients.

“Five years ago, wellness was often associated with dieting or a limited range of health foods,” Ballinger said.

“Today, consumers view wellness much more holistically, encompassing nutrition, lifestyle, preventative health, mental wellbeing, and product transparency.”

This evolution has created a more sophisticated consumer base.

Shoppers are no longer automatically influenced by packaging claims or marketing messages. Instead, they are increasingly evaluating ingredients, nutritional value, authenticity and whether products genuinely deliver the benefits they promise.

Ballinger said health considerations remain the biggest factor driving demand for gluten-free, dairy-free and refined-sugar-free products.

However, consumers are also considering taste, quality, brand credibility and affordability before making purchasing decisions.

Gut health becomes the next frontier of wellness

While supermarkets are expanding their wellness categories, food innovators are targeting emerging consumer concerns, particularly digestive health.

Heather Mills, vegan entrepreneur and climate activist, believes the UAE’s growing interest in healthier eating reflects a global movement, but one that is especially visible in the region due to changing dietary awareness.

“I think the trend is a global one and it is probably particularly noticeable in the UAE as the local diet was historically quite sugar-laden and high in saturated fats,” Mills said.

“The education and analysis regarding food composition has improved dramatically and the consumer is now more clued up on what’s good for them and able to demand better from brands.”

Mills said one of the biggest changes has been consumers becoming more aware of how specific foods affect their bodies.

She highlighted the response to her gut-friendly ready meal brand No Bloat, which focuses on supporting consumers dealing with digestive discomfort.

“We have been amazed by the reaction to our new (truly) gut-friendly LOW Fodmap ready meals – www.Nobloat.com,” she said.

“They are solving all kinds of digestive issues for people that had no idea what was causing their discomfort.”

However, Mills warned that consumers need to be careful when evaluating wellness claims, as some products marketed as healthy may not necessarily support individual dietary needs.

She believes future growth in the sector will depend on greater education and transparency.

Social media accelerates the wellness conversation

Another factor influencing consumer behaviour is the rise of online health and lifestyle content.

Mills said social media has played a complicated but important role in accelerating wellness awareness.

While she acknowledged that some online trends can create unrealistic expectations, she said digital platforms have also helped spread positive information about nutrition and lifestyle improvements.

“Don’t get me wrong, ‘aspiration’ culture caused by a glut of lifestyle content creation can be a very damaging thing in terms of false messaging and a lack of authenticity in approach,” Mills said.

“But it does also enable some positive messaging to be conveyed around lifestyle adjustments and healthy pursuits that consumers can adhere to.”

For brands operating in the wellness space, this increased awareness represents a significant opportunity, but also a responsibility to provide credible information.

Functional beverages become the gateway to healthier habits

Alongside food products, functional beverages have emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas of wellness consumption.

Vincent Vandenabeele, founder of Saba Plant-Based, entered the UAE market in 2019 with a focus on plant-based fermented foods and drinks.

At the time, he identified an opportunity to introduce products combining nutrition, convenience and gut health benefits.

“When we launched Saba Plant-Based in 2019, we saw a significant shift in consumer awareness around health, nutrition, and ingredient transparency,” Vandenabeele said.

He said the UAE market was increasingly open to products that supported everyday wellness while fitting modern lifestyles.

Functional beverages, including probiotic drinks, kombucha, kefir and fermented beverages, have become particularly attractive because they require minimal behavioural change.

“Functional beverages have become the entry point for wellness adoption because they are one of the easiest and most convenient ways for people to incorporate health-supporting habits into their daily lives,” Vandenabeele said.

Unlike supplements or major dietary changes, a functional drink can replace an existing beverage while introducing consumers to wellness benefits.

The future belongs to personalised wellness

Vandenabeele believes gut health remains one of the most promising but underdeveloped areas within the wellness sector.

“I think gut health is still one of the most underexplored areas, despite the growing awareness around it,” he said.

While consumers are becoming familiar with terms such as probiotics and fermentation, he believes there is still significant room for education around the relationship between gut health, immunity, digestion and mental wellbeing.

He also expects demand to increase for products made with simple, recognisable ingredients and fewer artificial additives.

For Saba Plant-Based, the opportunity lies in combining traditional food practices with modern nutritional understanding.

Retailers become partners in the UAE’s health journey

The rise of wellness-focused supermarkets reflects a broader transformation in the UAE’s food landscape.

Retailers now influence not only what consumers buy but also how they understand nutrition and wellbeing.

Ballinger believes supermarkets have a unique responsibility because of their daily interaction with millions of consumers.

“Retailers have a unique opportunity to influence everyday consumption habits at scale,” he said.

At Choithrams, he said wellness is built around three pillars: assortment, education and community engagement.

Through wellness destinations, awareness campaigns, partnerships and events, retailers can help consumers discover healthier options and make more informed choices.

As the UAE continues to prioritise wellbeing and preventive health, supermarkets are becoming increasingly important players in that mission.

Doctors will continue to guide consumers through medical challenges, but when it comes to everyday habits, the food people choose, the ingredients they trust and the products they place in their shopping carts, the supermarket aisle is becoming one of the most powerful wellness influencers in the country.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has approved a five-year plan to significantly expand the emirate’s soft mobility network by 2030, marking another step in the city’s broader strategy to create a more connected, sustainable and commuter-friendly transport ecosystem.

The initiative is designed to strengthen links between residential neighbourhoods and public transport stations while improving first- and last-mile connectivity for residents and visitors. By integrating walking, cycling and other individual mobility options with Dubai’s wider public transport network, the authority aims to make journeys safer, more convenient and increasingly seamless.

Under the plan, RTA will develop soft mobility infrastructure across 25 residential areas and upgrade the urban environment surrounding 63 public transport stations by 2030. The project aligns with Dubai’s wider vision of developing an integrated mobility network that supports sustainable urban growth and enhances quality of life.

Read more-Dubai drivers take note: RTA’s new bus and taxi lanes set to transform daily travel

Areas selected for the programme have been prioritised based on several factors, including the availability and usage of public transport services, population density, land-use patterns, whether residential, commercial or mixed-use, and the current condition of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. Future development plans under the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan also formed part of the selection criteria.

Soft mobility positioned as a key pillar of future transport

Mattar Al Tayer, director general, chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the initiative reflects Dubai’s long-term ambition to remain one of the world’s leading cities for liveability while supporting sustainable economic and urban development.

“The plan forms part of RTA’s efforts to reinforce Dubai’s position as the best city in the world to live in, and to develop an integrated and sustainable transport system that keeps pace with urban and population growth while enhancing quality of life.

“Soft mobility has become one of the strategic enablers of the future mobility ecosystem and a key pillar in strengthening integration across transport modes. It reinforces public transport’s position as the preferred mobility choice and supports Dubai’s sustainability and quality-of-life objectives, in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.”

Al Tayer said transport infrastructure worldwide is increasingly being measured by how effectively it delivers connected and seamless journeys rather than simply expanding road capacity.

“The global mobility sector is undergoing a fundamental shift in the philosophy of infrastructure development. Success is now measured by a mobility system’s ability to deliver an integrated, safe and seamless journey that allows residents and visitors to move between different transport modes with ease, efficiency and safety.

“Dubai has succeeded in building one of the world’s most advanced public transport systems by strengthening integration between the road network, public transport modes and individual mobility modes. Pedestrian journeys rose from 326 million in 2024 to 342 million in 2025, a growth of 5 per cent, while the maturity of infrastructure surrounding public transport stations reached 87 per cent and pedestrian satisfaction across Dubai rose to 89 per cent. Cycling trips increased from 46.6 million in 2024 to 57.3 million in 2025, a growth of 23%, and e-scooter trips rose from 32.3 million in 2024 to 39.6 million in 2025, a growth of nearly 23 per cent.”

Focus on making public transport more attractive

RTA believes improving the areas surrounding metro and bus stations will play a critical role in encouraging more residents to shift towards public and shared transport.

According to Al Tayer, investing in the urban environment around transport hubs helps maximise the value of existing transport infrastructure while making public transport a more attractive option for everyday travel.

He said facilities such as pedestrian and cycling tracks, safer pedestrian crossings, infrastructure for People of Determination, shaded walkways and urban beautification features will make journeys more comfortable and accessible. The plan also includes expanding stations and parking facilities for shared mobility services, including Careem Bike and e-scooter rental operators, further improving connectivity between neighbourhoods and transport hubs.

Al Tayer added that the next phase of the programme will focus on completing the final stage of customers’ journeys by strengthening first- and last-mile connectivity between residential communities, business districts, major destinations and metro and bus stations.

He said the objective is to transform every public transport station into an integrated mobility hub that delivers greater flexibility, efficiency and sustainability for commuters.

Infrastructure rollout to continue through 2030

The latest programme will expand soft mobility infrastructure into 25 additional residential areas, bringing the total number of targeted communities to 34 by the end of the decade.

Construction is already underway in five locations, Dubai Marina, Al Murar, Naif, Al Rigga and Al Muraqqabat, where soft mobility elements are currently being implemented.

Alongside neighbourhood improvements, RTA plans to upgrade the infrastructure surrounding 63 public transport stations by 2030, making metro and bus stations easier to access while further strengthening Dubai’s integrated transport network.

The authority said the programme supports Dubai’s wider efforts to increase reliance on public transport and sustainable mobility by creating an accessible infrastructure network that better connects residential developments, commercial districts, major destinations and transport stations.

Key elements of the project include cycling tracks, pedestrian crossings, shaded pathways, landscaped rest areas, bicycle parking, vehicle parking facilities, passenger pick-up and drop-off zones and dedicated infrastructure for shared mobility services.

Together, these improvements are intended to make active travel more practical while supporting safer and more efficient journeys across the city.

Building on earlier phases

The new expansion builds on previous soft mobility projects already completed across nine residential areas: Al Mankhool, Al Qusais, Al Karama, Al Barsha 1, Al Barsha 2, Al Khawaneej 2, Hor Al Anz, Abu Hail and Al Souk Al Kabeer.

RTA has also completed upgrades around 37 metro stations, including Mall of the Emirates, Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, ONPASSIVE, Gold Souq, BurJuman, Baniyas Square, Sharaf DG and Abu Hail.

Those projects introduced integrated pedestrian and cycling networks, upgraded pavements, safer pedestrian crossings, facilities for People of Determination, mobility hubs, shared mobility stations and urban beautification initiatives.

According to RTA, these improvements have strengthened first- and last-mile connectivity while delivering greater integration between different transport modes across Dubai’s wider mobility network.

Master plan supports long-term mobility strategy

The soft mobility programme forms part of a broader strategy to create an interconnected transport ecosystem that integrates roads with the Dubai Metro, Dubai Tram, public buses, marine transport, taxis and individual mobility options such as walking, cycling and e-scooters.

RTA said the approach is designed to deliver safer, more efficient and sustainable journeys while supporting Dubai’s economic growth, urban expansion and international competitiveness in smart mobility.

To support the initiative, the authority previously conducted a comprehensive study to develop a master plan for non-motorised transport across the emirate.

The study examined infrastructure requirements for medium- and long-distance journeys, with a focus on improving safety, accessibility and convenience while encouraging greater use of walking and cycling.

It also established a long-term strategy for expanding non-motorised transport by creating infrastructure that is accessible to all residents, including People of Determination, while improving connectivity between residential communities, development projects and major destinations.

In addition, the strategy outlines standards for first- and last-mile infrastructure and transport integration, providing a framework that will be incorporated into future RTA projects across Dubai.

Enhancing transport integration

The soft mobility initiative includes a broad range of infrastructure improvements designed to support safer and more accessible travel throughout the city.

Among the planned upgrades are facilities for People of Determination, raised pedestrian crossings, traffic-calming measures, dedicated cycling tracks, bicycle parking bays, improved directional and warning signage, pavement enhancements and shared-use lanes for vehicles and non-traditional transport modes.

The programme will also introduce additional shaded pathways, landscaped rest areas, green spaces and seating to encourage walking and cycling, alongside vehicle parking, passenger pick-up and drop-off points and stations for shared mobility services.

Collectively, these measures are expected to improve everyday mobility, encourage greater use of sustainable transport options and further enhance the quality of life for residents as Dubai continues to invest in building an integrated, future-ready transport network.

Spain were crowned FIFA World Cup champions for the second time after Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner secured a deserved 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in a gripping final at the New York New Jersey Stadium

After 90 minutes of relentless pressure but no breakthrough, Torres finally settled the contest in the 106th minute, firing home after Nico Williams headed a high ball back across goal to spark celebrations among the Spanish players.

The victory ends Argentina’s reign as world champions and extends Spain’s remarkable dominance of international football. Sixteen years after lifting their first World Cup in South Africa, La Roja now hold the men’s World Cup, European Championship and Olympic titles, while Spain also remain women’s world champions.

Spain controlled the final from start to finish, enjoying the overwhelming share of possession and chances. Argentina, unbeaten in a major tournament since 2019 and led by Lionel Messi, failed to register a shot during normal time and managed just one effort on target across the entire 120 minutes.

Despite Spain’s dominance, Argentina’s disciplined defensive display—and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who set a World Cup final record for saves—kept the match scoreless deep into extra time.

Argentina’s resistance was further weakened in stoppage time at the end of the second half when Enzo Fernandez was shown a second yellow card, reducing the South Americans to 10 men.

Even with the numerical advantage, Spain had to remain patient before finally breaking through.

“Even against 10 men at the end we had to suffer,” Spain coach Luis De La Fuente said after the match.

“But we like to suffer. We were prepared for everything.”

The decisive moment came after Spain’s 20th shot of the match. Williams won an aerial ball at the back post and nodded it into Torres’ path, with the forward making no mistake from close range to beat Martinez for the only goal of the final.

Spain comfortably saw out the closing stages to seal a famous victory.

For Argentina, the defeat marks a disappointing end to Lionel Messi’s World Cup career. The 39-year-old captain was largely isolated throughout the contest, touching the ball only once during the opening 15 minutes and receiving little service against Spain’s disciplined midfield.

It was Argentina’s fourth defeat in a World Cup final and Messi’s second loss in three appearances in football’s biggest match.

Played before a largely Argentina-supporting crowd, the final had all the ingredients of a classic, but Spain’s technical superiority ultimately proved decisive.

Their patient passing, relentless pressing and tactical discipline gradually wore down the defending champions before Torres delivered the moment that secured Spain’s place in football history.

The confrontation between the US and Iran continues to escalate, with both sides trading strikes for more than a week in a conflict that is increasingly spilling across the Middle East. As US Central Command presses ahead with nightly attacks on Iranian targets, Tehran has retaliated by striking US-linked facilities in neighbouring countries. Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan have all been targeted in recent days, while reports point to additional attacks in Syria and Iraq. Follow our live blog below for the latest developments as they happen.

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Tuesday, 21st July 2026, 10:2o

DUBAI, July 21 (Reuters) – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted infrastructure belonging to U.S. company Amazon AMZN.O in Bahrain, according to a statements published by state media on Tuesday.

There was no official confirmation from Bahrain. Reuters could not independently verify the incident.

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Monday, 20th July 2026, 15:22

July 20 (Reuters) – Iran attacked Bahrain’s civil air navigation systems but operations were not affected, the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement to the state news agency.

Flights and air traffic transit through Bahrain are proceeding normally, the statement said.

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Monday, 20th July 2026, 10:04

Bahrain sounds second warning siren as Kuwait intercepts hostile drones

Bahrain activated a second warning siren on Monday morning as regional security tensions escalated, while neighbouring Kuwait said its air defence systems were intercepting hostile drone attacks that it attributed to Iranian aggression.

In a statement, Bahrain’s authorities urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place, while following official safety instructions and relying only on verified information issued by relevant government agencies.

No immediate details were provided on the cause of the second alert, and authorities did not report any casualties or damage.

In Kuwait, the General Staff of the Army said the country’s air defence systems were responding to hostile drone attacks following what it described as Iranian aggression.

The military added that any explosion sounds heard across the country were the result of air defence systems intercepting incoming threats, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and comply with security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

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Monday, 20th July 2026, 05:47

DUBAI/CAIRO, July 20 (Reuters) – US forces struck Iran for a ninth consecutive day on Monday as the number of confirmed American military deaths in the renewed fighting rose to three and concerns grew over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, US Central Command said it started “a new wave of strikes” aimed at “degrading” Iran‘s ability to attack commercial vessels in the strait’s vital shipping lanes.

The Central Command announcement gave no further details. But Iran‘s semi-official Tasnim news agency, citing its own reporters, said US missiles struck several Iranian cities early Monday.

Explosions were heard in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini, according to Tasnim.

In the latest American casualty reported in the war, the US military said on Sunday that a service member was killed on Saturday in northern Iraq, where the U.S. has military bases, during a controlled detonation of what Central Command called unexploded ordnance on a downed Iranian attack drone.

Earlier in the weekend, the US military said two of its service personnel died in Jordan and that a third was missing in action. On Sunday, Central Command said in a statement that “unidentified remains” had been found at the site of Friday’s attack and that “an examination process to verify the remains is ongoing.”

The latest casualty announcements brought the total number of US military personnel killed since the war began to 17, with more than 420 others wounded.

For its part, Iran‘s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a surprise strike against “the enemy’s special operations headquarters in Syria’s Al-Tanf area.”

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Monday, 20th July 2026, 05:34

July 20 (Reuters) – The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Monday that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, alleging they had been encouraged by the US military to use the passage.

The statement gave no details on the vessels’ names, flags, crews or any casualties.

The Guards said the waterway would remain unsafe as long as what it called US “aggression” in the region continued, warning that “this passage will not be safe for the transit of petrochemical products, nor even a single drop of oil and gas.”

They told the US military to prepare for a “punitive operation.”

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Kuwait Airways announced on Saturday that it has rescheduled the majority of its commercial flights after a temporary suspension of take-off and landing operations at Kuwait International Airport, citing the ongoing Iranian aggression on the country.

The move comes as authorities continue monitoring the evolving situation and prioritising aviation safety.

Read more-Which airlines are flying to the Middle East? Here’s the latest

In a statement, the national carrier urged passengers to closely monitor the status of their flights. The airline said automated updates and text messages are being sent to the phone numbers registered in booking records, ensuring travellers receive timely information on any schedule changes, Kuwait News Agency reported.

Passenger safety prioritised

The statement added that passengers requiring further information about their flights can contact the customer service centre from within Kuwait by dialling 171, from abroad at (+965) 24345555 ext. 171, or through the dedicated WhatsApp service at (+965) 1802050.

Kuwait Airways expressed its sincere appreciation to customers for their patience, understanding and cooperation during these exceptional circumstances. The airline reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest passenger safety and security standards while continuing to keep travellers informed of operational developments as they emerge.