'I track offers daily': How UAE residents are chasing best shopping deals

From chasing daily discounts to delaying big purchases until the right offer appears, UAE consumers say they are becoming more strategic with their spending, a shift that is pushing retailers to rethink how they attract shoppers beyond traditional seasonal peaks.

“I became more conscious of spending, choosing to follow daily offers rather than buying everything at once,” said Mouza Al Mansoori, a resident of Al Ain, pointing to rising prices ahead of recent shopping periods.

Similarly, Fatima Salem said she now plans purchases more carefully, particularly for big-ticket items. “I track offers closely and compare prices before making any purchase,” she said, noting she recently bought electronics only after spotting significant discounts.

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This growing price sensitivity is reshaping retail behaviour across the UAE, with shoppers prioritising value, timing, and variety over impulse buying.

Retailers are taking note

Across malls and shopping centres, there is a clear shift toward experience-led strategies designed to keep consumers engaged year-round, rather than relying solely on festive spikes such as Eid Al-Fitr.

At Times Square Center, community-driven activations have become central to this approach. Michelle Daen Bron, Marketing Manager, said the mall introduced interactive experiences ranging from children’s entertainment to eco-conscious workshops, alongside initiatives such as a preloved market to promote sustainable shopping.

“These initiatives are designed to go beyond transactional retail and create meaningful connections with visitors,” she said.

The strategy is showing early results. Footfall increased by around 5 per cent compared to the previous weekend, while key categories including food and beverage, supermarkets, and pharmacies saw an uplift of about 3 per cent.

Elsewhere, promotions remain a key lever to drive traffic.

Sandeep Adnani, AGM – Marketing at Multiplex, said aggressive discounting of 25 to 50 per cent helped boost both store visits and sales.

“March was one of our strongest months in terms of revenue, with consistently high footfall across malls and strong performance from brands we manage,” he said.

Major retailers are also refining their operational and digital strategies to align with changing consumer expectations.

At Max Fashion, part of Landmark Group, early campaign rollouts, strong inventory planning, and seamless omnichannel experiences contributed to increased footfall, larger basket sizes, and a surge in mobile-driven online traffic.

The brand also observed a shift in purchasing behaviour, with shoppers moving from practical Ramadan wear to more occasion-focused buying, including full outfits, accessories, and family-oriented purchases.

Home Centre, also under Landmark Group, reported a more stable post-Ramadan performance than usual. While the home category typically slows after the festive period, this year saw steadier demand, with consumers focusing on essentials, hosting needs, and incremental home upgrades.

Retailers say reduced holiday travel played a role, encouraging more residents to shop locally.

Industry experts note that the convergence of value-driven shopping and experience-led retail is redefining the UAE’s retail landscape.

While seasonal moments like Eid remain important, the focus is increasingly shifting toward sustaining engagement through targeted promotions, immersive in-store experiences, and seamless digital integration.

In a market where consumers are more informed and deliberate, retailers that can balance competitive pricing with meaningful experiences are likely to gain an edge.