From food orders to travel decisions, Saudis are turning to social media to make shopping decisions
Retail
Abu Dhabi
UAE petrol prices to change for September 2025
UAE petrol prices saw a slight decline last month as part of a period of relative stability
AI
76% of Middle East retailers already use AI; procurement and customer experience lead — Honeywell survey
Middle East retailers turn to AI to boost business efficiency
Alshaya Group
Spinneys enters Kuwait with Alshaya joint venture, first store to open in 2026
Spinneys expands into Kuwait with Alshaya joint venture. Ten stores planned, first opening in 2026, marking its fourth GCC market entry
Retail
UAE retailer Union Coop’s H1 2025 net profit jumps 6.4% to $47.47 million
Total income at $315.32mn; Profit before tax at $52.28mn; Second-quarter profits grow by 13%
consumer behaviour
Labubu craze grips UAE as noon Minutes sees every drop sell out in ‘hours’
Scarcity, social media chatter and rapid delivery have turned a niche figurine into one of the fastest-selling items on noon Minutes in the UAE
LuLu Retail
Lulu Retail H1 revenue surges 5.9% to $4.1bn, net income up by 9.1%
EBITDA for H1 up 7% at $418mn and 7.6% for Q2 at $204mn; Strong growth in the UAE and KSA, but revenue declines in Oman and flat in Qatar
Apparel Group
From shopping bag to property deed: Dubai loyalty points can now buy real estate from as little as $544
In a first for Dubai, shoppers can convert loyalty points into property ownership
Dubai Shopping Malls
Dubai shopping malls launch virtual worlds on Roblox platform
Mall of the Emirates and City Centres launch on Roblox for Dubai Summer Surprises 2025
Apparel Group
Middle East’s 1st standalone Martha Stewart store opens in Dubai
Apparel Group unveils standalone Martha Stewart store at shopping mall in Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Largest-ever fuel volumes spur ADNOC Distribution’s H1 net profit by 12%
The company records its highest H1 EBITDA of $566mn, up 10.0% YoY, on fuel sales of 7.62 billion liters, up 5.6% YoY; Guidance revised for new stations
retail industry
Six new stores boost Spinneys H1 2025 revenue growth by 13.7% to $490mn
Company experiences increase in online sales and higher penetration of fresh and private label sales as adjusted EBITDA grows 20.0%
petrol prices
UAE announces petrol prices for August 2025
UAE fuel prices have decreased compared to the rates in July
Amazon
GMG, Amazon form partnership to boost online retail in MENA
The agreement will combine Amazon’s technology, delivery network and online shopping platform with GMG’s retail portfolio, the companies said in a joint statement
Amazon
Amazon extends Prime Day sale due to ‘thoughtful shopping’ shift in UAE, Saudi, says chief
“There has never been a better time to be a Prime member,” Stefano Martinelli, Vice President, Amazon Middle East and North Africa told Arabian Business
acquisition
Multiply Group completes acquisition of Spanish apparel maker Tendam
The transaction, valued at AED 5.6 billion enterprise value, will double Multiply’s operational EBITDA and expand its global footprint
acquisition
Indian jewellers Titan to buy 67% stake in Dubai’s Damas
Deal puts Damas’ enterprise value at $283mn; Titan to gain access to Damas’ 146 stores in six GCC countries