UAE traditional trade surged 6.4%, while that in Saudi Arabia achieved 2.4% growth in Q3, signalling a shift in consumer shopping preferences
Retail
SAMA
Samsung Pay launched in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Central Bank announces launch of Samsung Pay service in the Kingdom
Apple
Apple announces 2025 online store launch in Saudi Arabia, plans for ‘iconic’ Diriyah outlet
The tech giant will launch its Arabic-language online store in Sauid next summer followed by several physical outlets including a flagship store at a UNESCO World Heritage site
Abu Dhabi Investment Office
Abu Dhabi Investment Office signs deals to build new mall and huge school
New mall, shopping centre and school to follow Abu Dhabi Investment Office deals
Dubai
World’s largest gold bar on display in Dubai
Dubai Gold Souk Extension showcases world record 300kg gold bar
Amazon
UAE e-commerce market tipped to reach $25bn by 2029
E-commerce is booming in the UAE and will pass $11bn in sales this year
apps
White Friday sees in-app purchase spike as e-commerce thrives
E-commerce shoppers turn to in-app purchases on White Friday
Dubai
Dubai Duty Free eyes $2 billion sales target in 2024
The airport retailer recorded sales of $205.67 million in November, marking its fifth-best month historically
generation alpha
How the UAE’s Generation Alpha are savvy digital consumers with children as young as 8 shopping independently online
Checkout.com survey highlights the spending habits and influence of Generation Alpha in the UAE
Du
Eid Al Etihad 2024: e& offers 53GB of free data for UAE National Day
UAE telecoms firm e& is offering customers free data to celebrate Eid Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi
UAE petrol prices slashed for December 2024; now at cheapest point this year
UAE petrol prices to fall in December, following a reduction to the cheapest levels seen this year
Abu Dhabi
Eid Al Etihad holiday announced; UAE petrol prices set to change; AED100m lottery launched; Riyadh Metro opening date – 10 things you missed this week
UAE petrol prices, Eid Al Etihad holiday dates, national lottery announced, Riyadh Metro launch and more top news stories this week
6thStreet
UAE fashion major 6thStreet leverages Gupshup to boost marketing ROI
Conversational marketing by companies like Gupshup provide personalized, segment-based marketing tools to companies and brands on channels like WhatsApp
Du
Eid Al Etihad 2024: du offers 53GB of free data for UAE National Day
UAE telecoms firm du is offering customers free data to celebrate Eid Al Etihad
Consumer goods
UAE consumer spending hit $3.7bn in Q3 as shoppers move online and seek quick commerce
UAE consumer spending increased by 4.8 per cent compared to same period last year
eyewa
Eyewa raises $100m in Series C funding round, plans 100 new stores in 2025
Rapidly growing eyewear retailer eyewa plans massive expansion in 2025 after securing $100m in funding
Public joint-stock companies
UAE retailer Union Coop plans switch to become public joint-stock company
Union Coop mulling a shift from consumer cooperative society to public joint-stock company