• UAE hotel industry basks in festive Ramadan spirit

    The prices of hotel rooms decreased after the end of Expo2020, with rates starting at around US$50 per night.
    Now, hotel bookings will rise for Eid Al-Fitr, with Gulf markets predicted to see a considerable spike in travel bookings from April 28 to May 5, 2022, which coincides with the resumption of large exhibitions in several GCC capitals.

  • Ramadan brings $6bn windfall for MENA

    During the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan, the faithful across the MENA region are expected to spend more than $6 billion, boosting a retail market battered by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two years.
    The spending through the month of April has been widespread, including a broader increase in sales volume and a diversification of family-oriented retail options that enhance the prosperity of the local market.

  • Demand surges as Ramadan returns

    Various businesses -- particularly related to food, apparel and household products -- are witnessing surge in demand as the COVID-19 restrictions have eased during the Holy Month of Ramadan after two years.
    The shopping behavior has changed a lot in the region in past two years as consumers are looking for promotions and offers especially in food, perishables, groceries and home appliances. Studies suggest that consumers are spending more on cross-border goods, particularly consumer packaged products, during Ramadan this year.

  • UAE restores Ramadan goodwill with tough fight against COVID-19

    The pandemic had affected many aspects of Ramadan practices, from limiting communal prayers and preventing large family gatherings for iftar to changing how charity meals are distributed and suspending suhoor tents.
    While iftar tents are reinstated this year for government and licensed entities, authorities have advised that the group iftars and suhoor gatherings should be limited to family members in the same household.

  • Brands track trends, behaviors of consumers in Gulf region

    While everyone is sharing the spiritual experience of Ramadan with their families, it is interesting to know how advertisers and brands decpiher consumer's preferences in terms of shopping during the Holy Month?
    Brands have realised the importance of mobile advertising and smartphones and are utilizing them to capture the attention of target or future potential audiences during Ramadan this year.

  • What determines duration of a Ramadan fast?

    Ramadan fast is probably the longest and the strictest of the ritual fasts.  Hundreds of millions of Muslims across the world abstain from eating and drinking from early dawn to dusk during the Holy Month.
    The fasting hours are actually determined by geography and vary from one country to another.  People in the relatively cooler areas find Ramadan days less daunting in summers.

  • Retail sales rise on back of online platforms

    Ramadan is on track to break all online sales records in the region, with total sales expected to jump by 40% to reach $6.2 billion in 2022, accounting for about 16% of total e-commerce market activity this year.
    Grocery and fashion are the most significant in-demand categories during the holy month. The two sectors are expected to see the most significant surge as 87% and 70% consumers are planning an increased spending.

  • Grocery apps reap Ramadan benefits

    More than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic have led to a rise in the adoption of personal electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops and also a change in people’s behavior when it comes to ecommerce.
    Grocery apps are witnessing a busy period during the Holy Month as scorching summer persuades customers to remain indoors while ordering their basic daily necessities with few taps on the smartphones.