United Arab Emirates

Positive, albeit declining, natural change and net migration will drive population growth in the UAE up to 2030. Reliance on foreign labour means that foreign citizens will continue to account for a huge 88% of the population in 2030. While older age...

Although toys and games continued to see growth in current value terms in 2018, this was slower than in all other years of the review period. This was due to the challenges faced by the economy, which remained uncertain, and lower consumer ...

Traditional toys and games declined in current value terms in 2018. With the United Arab Emirates suffering tough economic times, many consumers limited their spending in the category. Also, child-friendly interactive and engaging gadgets and phone ...

In 2018, video games grew in terms of both hardware and software. With launches of console upgrades over the last year, sales of static consoles grew in 2018, driving the growth of video games hardware. In addition, technology and innovation drove ...

Building on trends witnessed the previous year, 2018 saw the launch of many new-born ranges, such as the Fifi & Friends new collection of natural, hypoallergenic bath and body baby products. One of its most popular products is its organic aloe ...

A nascent trend in bath and shower is that simple and natural products are increasingly favoured, especially by young consumers, over products that are positioned as antibacterial. In other words, chemical-laden shower gels are being rejected for ...

Celebrity beauty expert Charlotte Tilbury opened her flagship store in Dubai Mall in summer 2018, and opened a second outlet in October in Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi. There was a great deal of media hype surrounding these launches, as she held ...

Deodorant sprays was the most popular format within deodorants in the United Arab Emirates in 2018, due to ease of usage and perceived higher hygiene. Considering consumers’ fast-paced lifestyles and the very hot weather in the country, spray ...

Compared with Western countries, it is relatively inexpensive to go to a high-standard salon which offers hair removal services in the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, this category sees robust competition from permanent laser hair removal services ...

Traditionally, premium fragrances accounted for the bulk of sales in beauty and personal care in the United Arab Emirates, and whilst this remains true, premium fragrances experienced a steep downturn in sales in the last two years of the review ...

In the United Arab Emirates, many consumers are confused about the blurred lines between organic and “natural” shampoo; however, it is clear that there is significant demand for sulphate-free hair care products. Many companies, such as Aveda and The ...

Mass products have upped their game by giving consumers better value for money – offering reasonable prices along with good quality. They appeal to “smart” consumers with a good price/quality ratio rather than a low price positioning. This appeals to...

There is a peculiar demographic imbalance in the United Arab Emirates: for every woman in the country, there are estimated to be three men. This demographic landscape is shaped by the fact that the country is home to a huge number of seasonal workers...

Dubai has been dubbed a beauty mecca, for its international reputation as a place where external appearance is prized; this ethos certainly translates into the desire for a cosmetically pleasing smile. Whilst this helps fuel the growth of oral care ...

In 2018, the economy in the United Arab Emirates saw only marginal recovery. It seems that the gilded age is now over, and economic growth has entered a long-term “new normal”. Also, VAT was introduced for the first time in 2018 (5%) and consumer ...

The United Arab Emirates is known for its glitz and glamour, anchored by a robust premium retail sector, which is closely correlated with consumer confidence and high-spending tourists. Both these factors suffered in recent years from geopolitical ...

When it comes to beauty products, both Western and non-Western expatriates traditionally had a bias towards anything with a “made in Paris” tagline. In 2018, however, there was growing interest in local brands, particularly amongst younger consumers....

Sun protection and sun safety for children are growing topics in the region, and awareness is increasing that products need “broad spectrum protection” to block out both UVA and UVB rays. Parents are told that sun protection should be reapplied every...

With the development of more independent players such as cafés and coffee specialists, there has been a trend towards modern-styled cafés featuring the local Emirati culture as well as imported cultures from various expats. There is also a trend ...

Mall operators are rethinking their tenant mix, incorporating more experiences and leisure outlets across the malls to increase footfall and subsequently tenant revenues, thus retail is gaining wider attention for identifying prime locations for ...