68% of residents avoid in-store shopping

Dubai survey reflects how pandemic has affected consumer behaviour

Dubai survey reflects how consumer behaviour has changed

Sixty eight per cent of UAE residents have reduced in-store shopping since the coronavirus outbreak and 49 per cent are shopping online more, according to a survey on how the pandemic has affected consumer behaviour.

The survey commissioned by Dubai Police, Dubai Economy and Visa, carried out as part of the Stay Secure initiative, also found that when people do shop in stores, 71 per cent use digital payments, 54 per cent use contactless cards and 46 per cent use mobile wallets.

Among those shopping online more, 61 per cent use cards or digital wallets.

Forty-three per cent said they would continue to use contactless payments in-store after the pandemic and 48 per cent said they will continue to opt for online payment by card or digital wallet.

Ahmad Al Zaabi, director of consumer protection in the Commercial Compliance abd Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector, Dubai Economy, said, “This is an important take-away for businesses developing strategies for the post-Covid-19 consumer and market overall. Dubai Economy has been

promoting online shopping and contactless payments.”

Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jalaf, director of Criminal Investigation Department in Dubai Police, said: “Dubai Police is pleased to partner with Visa and Dubai Economy in this Stay Secure initiative, which not only helps amplify our efforts towards reducing fraud and cybercrime, but also echoes our recent National Fraud Awareness campaign to address this threat.”