Ramadan Spurs Unique Shopping Habits in UAE
Night Shopping and Food Delivery: UAE's Unique Ramadan Traditions
Ramadan has always been a special period in the UAE, not only from a spiritual perspective but also in terms of everyday practices. The nocturnal prayers, family gatherings, and altered meal times all contribute to the creation of unique consumer trends during this month.
Explosive Growth in Early Morning Shopping
According to recent data, grocery orders placed during the early hours have increased by 70% in March compared to previous months. During Ramadan, the pre-dawn meal, suhoor, is served before dawn, and many make last-minute orders for essential groceries or ready meals. Data shows that popular nighttime orders included McDonald’s The Big Feast menu and the plain paratha from Punjab Flower Restaurant.
The evening rush-hour also changed significantly: while the peak was previously between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, due to Ramadan, it moved to between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM. The number of orders increased by 25% during the pre-iftar hours, between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Iftar Favorites and Record Orders
At iftar, when the fast is broken, people often desire ready meals. In Dubai, Wingstop's 8-piece chicken wing menu and in Abu Dhabi, Ritaj Restaurant's haleem were the most sought-after. Food orders increased by 36% during suhoor in March compared to February.
The largest single food order in Dubai was more than 2460 dirhams for a 10-item order from Café Bateel. In Abu Dhabi, an order from Behrouz Biryani was worth 1410 dirhams for 12 items.
Shopping Habits: What Do They Buy the Most?
Online grocery shopping also surged, with 8% more people ordering food in March than in February. The largest shopping order in Dubai was 2800 dirhams for 60 items, while in Abu Dhabi it was 1400 dirhams for 42 items. Popular products included bananas, bottled water, cucumbers, and blueberries.
The fastest delivery record in Dubai was just 1.5 minutes to the Al Safa Park Complex, and in Abu Dhabi, it was 2 minutes to the Najmat Tower on Reem Island.
Not Just Ordering, but Dining Out
UAE residents not only consumed at home but also took advantage of Ramadan-specific discounts. For instance, a guest saved over 6000 dirhams on a 27,000 dirham table reservation at JW Marriott Marquis terrace. Another guest used the restaurant booking service 31 times, indicating they dined out more than once a day.
Increase in Money Transfers
Traditionally a time for charity and supporting family members, international money transfers increased by 6%, with amounts sent to India up by 10%. Several customers reached the monthly transfer limit of 450,000 dirhams, mainly to India. Transfers to Pakistan saw the biggest increase, with one customer making 46 different transfers during Ramadan.
Summary
Ramadan not only brings spiritual renewal but also changes daily habits. Night shopping, early morning and evening peak periods, as well as generous charitable practices all highlight how special this month is for those living in the UAE.
