Sitecore released its Holiday Shopping Trends 2021 report, which looks at how consumers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) plan to celebrate, indulge, and recover throughout the holiday season.
Residents in the UAE are keen to get back to normal and make up for last year’s COVID-mandated break, with 81 percent of those aged 25 to 34 stating they are ready to relish pre-pandemic shopping and travel and holiday experiences.
Around four-fifths (82%) of UAE consumers surveyed aim to make larger and more thoughtful Christmas purchases this year, motivated in part by the fact that 72 percent of UAE consumers say they have greater holiday savings this year than last year.
The Holiday Shopping Trends 2021 research from Sitecore compiles customer feedback on holiday shopping, gifting, expenditure, and sentiment. Marketers in industries such as retail, travel, automotive, and others can use the information to create winning experiences that cater to changing consumer tastes and wants.
“As 83 percent of consumers in the UAE are very clearly ready to move on from the pandemic, they are looking at Holiday 2021 as the beginning of the rest of their lives,” said Mohammed Alkhotani, Area Vice President – Middle East and Africa, Sitecore.
Also said, “Our research shows pent-up demand and more savings than usual will result in younger consumers splurging on self-care and big-ticket items at the register, which is great news for those in retail, travel, and hospitality. It’s also heartening to see that 69 percent of UAE consumers want to support their local community, including locally-owned businesses. The industry will need to respond with more offerings from these businesses.”
o 76% of consumers prefer “experience gifts” to “more stuff”
o 76% of consumers are now planning “the trip of a lifetime”
o Sixty-eight percent of consumers under the age of 44 say they are now more spontaneous, social, and appreciative of life.
o 85% of individuals under the age of 44 said they now “enjoy travel and understand other cultures more” due to their experiences during the pandemic.
o While 94 percent of customers believe it is critical for shops to offer more products from locally owned businesses, just 60% say they notice more locally-owned products when they shop.
o 69 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for locally made gifts.
o 63 percent of consumers are irritated when they discover a purchase was made in China when they thought it was made locally.
o 92 percent of consumers say they pandemic has made them think more carefully about how they spend their money.
o The biggest motivation for buying a gift for yourself is “therapy,” according to 43% of people who do so.
