How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World

1. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Desertcart Desertcart Online Shopping Store Online Shopping Store

2. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? The Covid The Covid- -19 pandemic has brought about tremendous 19 pandemic has brought about tremendous change in shopping habits in the UAE, as with the rest change in shopping habits in the UAE, as with the rest of the world. In 2020, retail sales decreased by 8%, of the world. In 2020, retail sales decreased by 8%, according to the Dubai Statistics Center. according to the Dubai Statistics Center. With the pandemic continuing to disrupt our lives, it is With the pandemic continuing to disrupt our lives, it is essential for retailers to understand how the online essential for retailers to understand how the online consumer shopping habits and behavior of UAE citizens consumer shopping habits and behavior of UAE citizens have changed and adjust their strategies accordingly. have changed and adjust their strategies accordingly. https://www.desertcart.ae/

3. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? This blog post will look at the 10 changes to online shopping habits that have occurred in the UAE in the post- Covid era, and how retailers must adapt to these changes to ensure their survival. We'll look at how the pandemic affected consumer buying, e-commerce, and UAE retailers. We'll also examine how technological advances may affect the future of shopping and how retailers can benefit. Cross Border Online Shopping Store Cross Border Online Shopping Store https://www.desertcart.ae/

4. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Shift to Online Shopping Before the pandemic, many UAE residents weren't Before the pandemic, many UAE residents weren't used to shopping online. Due to physical shopping used to shopping online. Due to physical shopping restrictions, people have turned to online shopping. restrictions, people have turned to online shopping. This has led to a large increase in the number of This has led to a large increase in the number of people at international shopping, with many finding it people at international shopping, with many finding it a more convenient and safer way to buy what they a more convenient and safer way to buy what they need. The online retail industry across the UAE has need. The online retail industry across the UAE has experienced growth in the past year. It is due to this experienced growth in the past year. It is due to this shift and is likely to continue to thrive as long as the shift and is likely to continue to thrive as long as the restrictions on physical shopping remain in place. restrictions on physical shopping remain in place. https://www.desertcart.ae/

5. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Increased Focus on Safety & Hygiene One of the biggest changes is the increased focus on safety and hygiene. One of the biggest changes is the increased focus on safety and hygiene. Customers are now more aware of the need for proper sanitation and hygiene Customers are now more aware of the need for proper sanitation and hygiene practices in retail or international shopping sites. Businesses have responded by practices in retail or international shopping sites. Businesses have responded by implementing stricter cleanliness and safety protocols. implementing stricter cleanliness and safety protocols. This includes providing hand This includes providing hand sanitiser customers and staff, and regular deep cleaning of surfaces and products. customers and staff, and regular deep cleaning of surfaces and products. Businesses that can prove their commitment to safety and hygiene are more Businesses that can prove their commitment to safety and hygiene are more likely to draw in customers and build customer loyalty. likely to draw in customers and build customer loyalty. sanitiser, requiring face masks and face shields for , requiring face masks and face shields for Overseas Online Shopping Store https://www.desertcart.ae/

6. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post- Covid World?

7. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? More Conscious Spending With the economic downturn and job losses hitting With the economic downturn and job losses hitting the region hard, people are now more mindful and the region hard, people are now more mindful and discerning regarding their purchases. People are more discerning regarding their purchases. People are more selective when choosing what to buy and consider selective when choosing what to buy and consider their products' quality, price, and sustainability before their products' quality, price, and sustainability before making a purchase. This shift has been reflected in making a purchase. This shift has been reflected in the rise of online shopping and consumer the rise of online shopping and consumer behaviour behaviour and second and second- -hand stores, as people become more hand stores, as people become more conscious of their spending in a post conscious of their spending in a post- -Covid world. Covid world. https://www.desertcart.ae/

8. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Growth of Local Retailers Online shopping is up, but so are sales at physical stores, as more people buy local and Online shopping is up, but so are sales at physical stores, as more people buy local and support local businesses. support local businesses. This shift has been particularly noticeable in the food and beverage industry. More This shift has been particularly noticeable in the food and beverage industry. More customers buy fresh produce and other items from small, independent retailers. customers buy fresh produce and other items from small, independent retailers. Additionally, due to the popularity of local stores, many have expanded and increased Additionally, due to the popularity of local stores, many have expanded and increased their offerings to meet the increased demand. Customers will enjoy shopping their offerings to meet the increased demand. Customers will enjoy shopping convenience as local retailers grow. Buying locally supports the community. convenience as local retailers grow. Buying locally supports the community. https://www.desertcart.ae/

9. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Adaptation of Digital Payment Methods Adaptation of Digital Payment Methods Due to the pandemic and the need for social distancing, contactless Due to the pandemic and the need for social distancing, contactless payments have replaced cash. This has boosted mobile wallets, online payments have replaced cash. This has boosted mobile wallets, online banking, and cryptocurrency. banking, and cryptocurrency. In the UAE, mobile payments have grown exponentially and are now In the UAE, mobile payments have grown exponentially and are now accepted by all major retailers, restaurants, and service providers. This shift accepted by all major retailers, restaurants, and service providers. This shift to digital payments has benefited businesses and consumers. It has to digital payments has benefited businesses and consumers. It has improved security and convenience and made online shopping consumer improved security and convenience and made online shopping consumer behaviour behaviour simpler and more efficient. simpler and more efficient. https://www.desertcart.ae/

10. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Shifting Consumers’ Behavior towards Second Shifting Consumers’ Behavior towards Second- -Hand Goods Hand Goods As more people are affected by Covid As more people are affected by Covid- -19 and the shutdowns, they spend more money 19 and the shutdowns, they spend more money on used goods. on used goods. These shoppers want unique or hard These shoppers want unique or hard- -to to- -find items. They prefer thrift stores and find items. They prefer thrift stores and charity events. Many consumers now shop on secondhand online marketplaces. charity events. Many consumers now shop on secondhand online marketplaces. Secondhand goods are here to stay, with more used items listed online and e Secondhand goods are here to stay, with more used items listed online and e- -waste waste recycling on the rise. recycling on the rise. https://www.desertcart.ae/

11. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Prioritizing Essential Items Prioritizing Essential Items During this time of uncertainty, consumers are becoming increasingly During this time of uncertainty, consumers are becoming increasingly cautious with their spending and are starting to prioritize essential cautious with their spending and are starting to prioritize essential items over non items over non- -essential items. This has resulted in a rise in essential items. This has resulted in a rise in consumerism for essentials such as toilet paper, soap, and groceries. consumerism for essentials such as toilet paper, soap, and groceries. Additionally, there is an increase in the demand for “luxury” products. Additionally, there is an increase in the demand for “luxury” products. For example, hand sanitizer and masks that many people are buying For example, hand sanitizer and masks that many people are buying due to the COVID due to the COVID- -19 pandemic. 19 pandemic. https://www.desertcart.ae/

12. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Increase In Online Food Delivery Services Increase In Online Food Delivery Services One of the biggest changes has been the increase in online food delivery One of the biggest changes has been the increase in online food delivery services. With the country's strict lockdown measures, more and more services. With the country's strict lockdown measures, more and more people have been relying on these services to deliver their people have been relying on these services to deliver their favorite favorite meals meals straight to their doorsteps. straight to their doorsteps. This shift in consumer behaviour in online shopping has seen the demand for This shift in consumer behaviour in online shopping has seen the demand for food delivery platforms skyrocket. Additionally, businesses have taken food delivery platforms skyrocket. Additionally, businesses have taken advantage of this increased demand. It is by offering discounts and other advantage of this increased demand. It is by offering discounts and other incentives to encourage customers to use their services. incentives to encourage customers to use their services. https://www.desertcart.ae/

13. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Increase In Online Subscription Services Increase In Online Subscription Services With the pandemic came the need for social distancing and With the pandemic came the need for social distancing and limiting contact with others, prompting many to turn to online limiting contact with others, prompting many to turn to online subscription services to receive food and groceries. These subscription services to receive food and groceries. These services have been particularly popular in the UAE due to their services have been particularly popular in the UAE due to their convenience and speed, and many have found them to be an convenience and speed, and many have found them to be an invaluable addition to their shopping habits. invaluable addition to their shopping habits. https://www.desertcart.ae/

14. How Are UAE Shopping Habits Changing in a Post-Covid World? Increased Focus on Health and Wellness Increased Focus on Health and Wellness The pandemic has made people more aware of their own health and well The pandemic has made people more aware of their own health and well- -being. Consequently, being. Consequently, the online shopping habits of consumers have changed accordingly. the online shopping habits of consumers have changed accordingly. People are now more likely to purchase products that are beneficial to their physical and People are now more likely to purchase products that are beneficial to their physical and mental health, such as healthy snacks, organic and natural products, and exercise mental health, such as healthy snacks, organic and natural products, and exercise equipment. equipment. Additionally, people are looking to buy products that will help them care for their mental Additionally, people are looking to buy products that will help them care for their mental health, such as books, podcasts, and online courses. Consumer health, such as books, podcasts, and online courses. Consumer behaviour behaviour trends in online trends in online shopping in the UAE have changed to reflect a greater focus on health and wellness. shopping in the UAE have changed to reflect a greater focus on health and wellness. https://www.desertcart.ae/

15. Final Words In conclusion, the pandemic has created a sea change In conclusion, the pandemic has created a sea change in the way UAE shoppers make purchasing decisions. in the way UAE shoppers make purchasing decisions. Consumers are shifting their shopping habits to online Consumers are shifting their shopping habits to online and digital platforms, emphasizing convenience, cost and digital platforms, emphasizing convenience, cost- - effectiveness, and safety. effectiveness, and safety. https://www.desertcart.ae/

16. THANKS Do you have any questions? support@desertcart.com +971 4 5616852 https://www.desertcart.ae/ CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo icons by Flaticon Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik Slidesgo, and includes Freepik Please keep this slide for attribution