Shopping in the UAE: 8 tips to help you save up to 60% – News

Buying the right stuff at the right time is important to saving money, and technology can come in handy

Shopping is a favorite pastime for many in the UAE, and with so many retail options to choose from, it’s easy to overspend. However, with the right tricks, shoppers can save up to 60 per cent, according to one expert.

Amjad Ashraf, co-founder and CEO of Chum (price comparison app), explains tips to help you save money when shopping in the UAE.

The UAE is known for its frequent sales events where customers can enjoy discounted prices and special offers on various products. These include seasonal, clearance and festive sales, which can be great opportunities to save money. During the Dubai Summer Surprise (DSS) event, which runs from 29 June to 3 September, shoppers can find discounts on a variety of items such as clothing, electronics and home appliances.

Loyalty programs are a popular way for shoppers to save money while shopping. Many retailers offer loyalty programs that offer their members exclusive discounts, reward points, and other benefits. Signing up for these programs is usually free, and shoppers earn points with every purchase that they can then redeem for discounts or free products. Some of the prominent loyalty programs in the UAE include Landmark Group’s Shukran, Carrefour’s Share and Etisalat’s Smiles. It’s also important not to forget credit card points. When we sign up for a credit card, we’re usually lured by the various discounts, offers, and partnerships that come with it. Checking out summer deals on credit cards can help you save money on things you buy often.

Coupons and promo codes are effective strategies for saving money while shopping. These codes can be found online, in newspapers or on social media platforms and can offer discounts on everything from clothing to electronics to food and cosmetics. Before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to check out available coupons and promo codes that you can use to reduce prices.

You can quickly access these discounts by checking out the price comparison and deals app. Here are two tips to help you find more coupons: Don’t limit yourself to one app. If you regularly order food online, you probably already use a specific app. However, by looking at the different apps, you may find additional discounts and promotions that you wouldn’t otherwise discover.

Here’s a fun fact: First-time users of Careem Food get a 50% off coupon, while Noon Food, Talabat, Deliveroo and EatEasy offer 30-50% off for new users. To maximize your savings, you can take advantage of these first-time deals on each app and pick the one you like best. Using each app once, you can save up to Dh30 on each order, adding up to at least Dh150 on five different apps. The same goes for laundry services. Laundry services like JustLife, Careem, LaundryHeap and SoapySplash offer 30-50% off your first order. By trying these services individually, you can take advantage of their discounted prices and save money.

Have you noticed promotional emails in your inbox’s “Promotions” folder? You might be surprised by the number of coupons and deals available there. Many brands offer discounts to those who subscribe to their email lists. Sometimes they offer these discounts as incentives, and other times they send coupon codes to re-engage users. These emails are worth a look, even if your inbox is already full of promotions. Instead of scrolling through Tiktok or Instagram, take 10 minutes to check those emails and save money.

Buying products in bulk is an effective way to save money while shopping, as most retailers in the UAE offer discounts on items such as cleaning supplies, toiletries and food. Buying in bulk not only helps you save on the cost of individual items, but also reduces the frequency with which you shop, which in turn saves you money on transportation. Nonetheless, it is essential to ensure that products have sufficient storage space before buying in bulk.

“Buy now, pay later” options like Tabby, Tamara, and PostPay have seen increased adoption, largely due to their interest-free monthly installment options. By using these options, you can pay for your purchase in full over a longer period of time without paying any interest charges. This can save you a lot of money compared to using a credit card and being charged interest for late payments.

Comparing prices is essential to saving money when shopping in the UAE. With so many retail options available, it’s crucial to compare prices at different retailers before buying to find the best deals and discounts on your favorite products. Price comparison apps like Chum let you compare prices on popular products from different retailers. By comparing prices, you can save a lot of money when buying. For example, if you’re planning to buy a TV, you can save Dh1,000 or more by comparing prices and choosing the retailer with the best price.

They also compare grocery cart prices from Carrefour, Union Coop, Amazon, and more to show you which supermarket offers the best prices on your groceries. UAE shoppers can avoid overpaying with price comparison app. These apps help shoppers find the lowest-priced buying options, ensuring they get the best deal possible.

Chum also highlights price cuts on various products through its deals category. According to Amjad Ashraf, some leading e-commerce players adopt flexible pricing strategies where the price of a particular popular product drops for a limited period of time. If users can keep track of this, then they can even save 60-70%.

“Here’s an example of the Microsoft Surface Pro laptop that Noon is selling, and its price has dropped by more than 60%. Now, that’s just an example of an e-commerce player. Chum went a step further, showing Sharaf DG, Amazon, Carrefour, Emax and Price cuts from companies like Jumbo,” Ashraf said.

You can even set price alerts for flights you want to take and get notified when prices drop. This is a boon for frequent business or family trips where you can save a lot of money. This is especially important in tough economic times when every penny counts.

Everyone has heard of shopping therapy, and shopping can be therapeutic, but not so much when you’re checking out. Getting the best price on the product you want is often a hassle. Shopping in the UAE doesn’t have to be expensive. By following these tips, you can have a fulfilling shopping experience while saving money.