UAE customers

Over 90% of UAE customers say experience is as important as products – survey

The Salesforce’s ‘State of the Connected Customer Report’ reveals how trust, personalisation and digital-first experiences are central to customer needs

Toufic Kreidieh, Co-founder and CEO of Brands For Less Group

Brands For Less’ Toufic Kreidieh on the company’s recent expansion

The co-founder and CEO spoke to Gulf Business about the company’s recent expansion to Qatar and other key retail trends in the region

electric

World Environment Day: Scaling a circular economy

We look at some companies in the UAE that have championed a circular economy, while promoting sustainability and conscious consumerism

Digital wallet

Did you know that over half of the UAE population use digital wallets?

The survey was commissioned by Checkout.com and conducted by YouGov, polling over a 1000 UAE residents during May 19 and May 24, 2022

safqat to debut in the UAE

Safqat, an online F&B B2B marketplace, to debut soon in the UAE

Offering commission-free transactions, Safqat will help suppliers connect with restaurants, caterers and grocery stores at the click of a button

Walmart ranks first on the top 25 global retailers survey

According to GlobalData’s ranking, half of the top 25 global retailers reported more than 8 per cent year-on-year growth in revenue despite the pandemic

Waitrose says no to single-use plastics

Waitrose aligns with UAE ban on single-use plastic bags

Waitrose will discount 25 fils from the total bill when customers bring one or more bags to shop with at store regardless of the bag material or brand

plastic bags

Single-use plastic ban in Abu Dhabi begins: Everything you need to know

Major retailers in the UAE such as Carrefour, Spinneys and Lulu are geared up to implement this by providing sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives

Magrabi

Magrabi announces investment of Dhs84m across 57 stores in the region

The initiative, one of the biggest investments in the company’s history, includes 16 new openings for the group’s mainstream brand, Doctor M

Majid Al Futtaim survey reveals what visitors expect from malls

The regional-based campaign has received feedback from 10,000 customers at City Centre Mirdif and Deira, as well as online channels

Revealed: 74% of UAE’s online shoppers to spend more in 2022

In the report, online shoppers were surveyed, to understand their shopping behaviour, including how they are using Amazon and Noon

Dubai super sale: Get up to 90% discount at shopping malls

The three-day sale will begin on Friday, May 27 and last until Sunday, May 29

ADNOC Distribution

Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Distribution reports Dhs671m in net profit for Q1 2022

ADNOC Distribution posted a 7.8 per cent year-on-year increase in EBITDA, totalling Dhs881m

Network Nayax retail Getty images

Network, Nayax to expand UAE’s unattended self-service retail segment

Network and Nayax’s solution allows customers to select a product or service and pay using a debit or credit card at unattended self-service payment kiosks

IKEA flagship store to launch in Oman, announces Al-Futtaim

The two-level flagship IKEA store will be located in Lulu Group’s Oman Avenues Mall and feature a 394-seat restaurant with self-service kiosks

UAE Superbrands Council’s Niranjan Gidwani on the latest trends shaping the retail sector

The consultant director and member of UAE Superbrands Council talks about the revival of brick and mortar stores, metaverse mania and other developments

Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad partner for Etihad Guest’s ‘Miles on the Go’

Etihad Guest members can now earn and spend their miles when shopping at participating merchants located at Abu Dhabi International Airport

single-use plastic ban starts on Jan 1

Abu Dhabi to ban single-use plastic bags from June 1

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi will also phase out single-use styrofoam cups, plates and food containers by 2024

UAE’s GMG acquires Géant from Urban Foods by Dubai Holding

GMG has acquired 18 hypermarket and supermarket locations in the UAE plus exclusive rights to expand Géant operations across the Middle East

Dubai Future Foundation partners with Richemont to explore solutions for luxury retail sector

The innovative solutions will be developed as part of the Future of Luxury Retail challenge by participating startups at Area 2071

New e-grocery startup Raha launches in Kuwait

Raha raised $7m in its seed round of funding, led by Saudi’s Aujan Investments, Kuwait’s NOX Management and London-based Cedar Mundi Ventures

Dubai Holding introduces ‘Tickit’ to reward members

The new rewards programme gives members a chance to earn between 0.5 per cent and five per cent in points for every transaction at participating brands or outlets online and in-store

How RFID is reinventing retail stores in the Middle East

Zebra Technologies EMEA’s retail industry director shares how RFID technology is playing a growing role in the omnichannel retail environment

Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall to introduce over 100 new retail stores by summer

Yas Mall is increasing its food and beverage and entertainment offerings by over 50 per cent, and introducing a dedicated home furnishing district

Dubai’s Ansar Group partners with delivery app yeepeey

Ansar Gallery’s customers can now order a range of products without having to pay a delivery fee or markup over in-store prices

E-commerce

UAE e-commerce market valued at over $5bn in 2021

Total e-commerce in the UAE is projected to cross $8bn by 2025

UAE brand The Giving Movement raises $15m in Series A round

The sustainable fashion brand aims to further growth in children’s wear, including its recently-announced baby wear line, and expand into new markets

Carrefour BIO

Carrefour launches its first Bio store in Dubai

Located in City Centre Me’aisem, it features the retailer’s first-ever café and an in-store hydroponic farm

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment announces new dates for events

The year’s retail calendar has a total of 17 festivals, including citywide events, activations and experiences

Emaar’s Dubai Hills Mall opens

The new shopping, dining and entertainment destination is home to Roxy Cinemas, Adventure Park and a roller coaster among other offerings