UAE residents turn to cost-effective online shopping during COVID-19

The emergence of COVID-19 has made online shopping more cost-effective for UAE residents. While most of them bought clothes, watches, bags and shoes online earlier, their preferences have now evolved to order groceries, sportswear, home appliances, beauty and personal care products, board games and diapers, Because they are forced to spend more time indoors.

Groceries, pharmaceuticals and personal care products have seen the biggest growth in e-commerce sales in the UAE in the wake of COVID-19. According to consultancy RedSeer, the UAE fashion industry saw a 25% drop in e-commerce demand during COVID-19, while online sales in the local electronics industry soared 10% during the lockdown.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Geethu Chandran, an Indian expatriate living in Dubai, ordered yoga mats, blocks and wheels online for Dh150-Dh160. “It was a need for an hour because I had a lot of free time at home and couldn’t go to the park to practice yoga.” Her husband, who never buys clothes online, bought himself activewear from Sun & Sand Sports’ website, which The site offers discounts.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Chandran rarely bought clothes online because she preferred to touch and feel it. However, as malls are still cutting production, she now orders clothes online, but only from sites that have a return policy. “I also noticed that with the demand for online shopping being so high, items I put in my shopping cart were out of stock after a few days,” she told gulf news.

With all beauty salons in Dubai closed and restrictions imposed on services offered, Chandran decided to order online a Gelish nail care kit for Dh75 and a bottle of nail polish for Dh30. “This way, I can do my own nails every two weeks instead of going to a salon for Dh75 to Dh100.”

The family also bought themselves a hair clipper for Dh200 online. The mother-of-two has been trimming her children’s hair while her husband uses the product. “My husband usually spends Dh100 per trip to the salon for a haircut. So, that’s a savings,” she said.

I noticed that an item I put in my cart was out of stock after a few days because the demand for online shopping is so high

-Geethu Chandran

Geethu also purchased pajamas for her son online from Mother Care. Although there were discounts on the website, by using online coupons, she managed to get 10% to 15% off compared to shopping in stores.

The family buys groceries online from Organic Foods & Café. “While it tends to be a bit pricey, I wait for the website to offer discounts twice a month. I usually buy packaged products online and prefer to go in-person for perishables,” she says.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mary P., another Indian expatriate in Dubai, was buying clothes and watches online for between Dh500 and Dh1,000 every month. However, due to economic uncertainty, Mary has given up her non-essential shopping habits.

“I’m still constantly searching online portals and putting things in my shopping basket, but never end up buying anything,” she told gulf news.

Since the COVID-19 lockdown, many of my friends are buying more masks, eye creams, skin and hair products because they have enough time to take care of themselves

– Mary P.

Instead, Mary recently bought herself an air cooler for Dh225 as she has been facing issues with maintaining the air conditioner in her home. “I’m also thinking about buying a NutriBullet blender since I spend most of my time indoors. I’ve also been wanting to buy skincare products, although good quality tends to be expensive. Since the COVID-19 lockdown, many of my friends have been buying more Masks, eye creams, skin and hair products because they have time in the world to take care of themselves,” she explains.

Annalisa M., an Indian expatriate working as a legal professional in Dubai, has been shopping online for eight years. However, with the outbreak of COVID-19, she has strictly limited her online shopping to just groceries.

“Before COVID-19, I mainly bought clothes and shoes online. I didn’t go out anywhere because of the lockdown. So, I didn’t buy clothes at all,” said the expat, who has lived in the UAE for four years.

Annalisa said online grocery prices were significantly higher than buying from supermarkets. While the corner grocery store offers home delivery, Annalisa opted for online grocery shopping because she’s not used to paying with cash, preferring to pay with a credit card.

“I ordered online and paid more because I wanted to buy groceries within a few days. The markup prices really put me off. If the lockdown is extended then I will do better research and find out what is more cost effective e-grocery store,” Annalisa added.

I ordered online and paid more because I wanted groceries in a few days.The high price really puts me off

– Annalisa M.

Shopping online is a privilege that not everyone can afford, especially if you’re facing significant pay cuts or losing your job, she said. “E-grocery stores mostly only deliver when you order a certain amount,” she said.

Neha S., an expat living in the UAE for 15 years, avoided online shopping altogether before the coronavirus pandemic. She frequents the mall and insists on touching and feeling products before buying them. However, during the COVID-19 outbreak, Neha is spending more time at home and participating in virtual meetings via Skype and Zoom. That led her to shop online for cozy loungewear.

“I haven’t been home that long yet. So, I decided to spend Dh400 on four pairs of cozy loungewear for myself. There are discounts online,” she told gulf news.

The family of three also bought several board games including Scrabble, Ludot Snakes and Ladders, chess and poker to pass their free time during the lockdown. “We bought all the games from Amazon for Dh350. If it wasn’t for the lockdown, I would never have bought it,” Neha added.

Before the lockdown, my husband and I were working so we got home late and didn’t have time to cook.Things have changed now and we are saving money on this

– Neha S.

Neha’s family also saves an average of Dh200 a week by not ordering food delivery. During the lockdown, Neha has been cooking all her meals from scratch without wasting any kitchen or fresh ingredients. “Before the lockdown, my husband and I were working so we got home late and didn’t have time to cook. Now things have changed and we’re saving money on that,” she explained.

Although she has been ordering groceries from Kibsons, InstaShop and West Zone Super Market, Neha said online orders are on average Dh50-100 more expensive. “Online costs have especially increased for fish and meat products,” Neha said.

Another Dubai mother, who did not want to be named, said she had been buying nappies and wipes in bulk online for her son.

“I can buy two packs of 140 Fine Baby diapers on FirstCry.ae for Dh105. If I buy this in a store, it costs Dh80 per pack. You can save a lot by buying online,” she says.