Sajjad Ahmad, Staff Reporter
A new study of 800 consumers in the UAE showed that four out of 10 shoppers plan to buy more products online this year. It is not clear whether the coronavirus pandemic led to the behavior change of consumer.
The pandemic also affected the job market, business and economy.
The most of the products likely to be bought online includes toys and gaming items, cultural goods, and beauty products.
Over thirty per cent of the UAE shoppers considering to buy more luxury brands, home goods, groceries, apparel/accessories, household products and consumer electronics online.
People move around the Grand Atrium of Dubai Mall. File
According to latest study conducted by Criteo shows that retail traffic and sales in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) are set to peak once again during Black Friday (November 27) this year. Black Friday 2019 saw an average of 336% increase in sales and a 170% increase in traffic. Similar trends are expected this year, with e-commerce expected to perform stronger as consumers move to online shopping, in the wake of COVID-19, data from recent study revealed.
Over one third (37%) of UAE shoppers feel more comfortable shopping in-store now than they did a few months ago, revealed study. 65% of respondents said that they feel more comfortable shopping online this year than in-store. Most of the offline purchases by UAE shoppers will be primarily groceries, home goods and luxury brands.
As UAE shoppers are more driven by value than ever, nearly half of UAE shoppers say that they would not wait until Black Friday to buy presents if they get early discounts from their favourite retailers.
However, 43% of UAE shoppers confirmed that discounts offered by retailers will have a significant influence on their gift purchases.
Close to half of UAE shoppers mentioned shipping as one of the most important factors when buying online.