A recent analysis of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed the most prominent variables of consumer behavior in the UAE during the Corona pandemic period, highlighting the “new natural reality” of consumers, by analyzing the data of search engines «Google» for a number of terms and topics related to search behavior Everyday on the Internet, where the terms e-groceries, distance learning, teleworking and furniture, as well as vacationing within the country, occupied a list of new e-search behaviors.
E-groceries
The analysis showed that electronic shopping using a website or an electronic application has become an increasingly important rule for many consumers in the country, indicating that the interest of residents in the country in e-grocery reached its peak in April, before it receded during last May, which was expected, Once consumers select the electronic outlets that they wish to shop and approve, they will conduct fewer searches on the topic.
Recent data from MasterCard later reflected this pattern, as it showed that online grocery payments in the UAE witnessed 99% annual growth in February, 252% annual growth in March, and 316% annual growth in April. Common queries that have recorded the highest increase in search frequency include "online grocery" and "grocery delivery".
Distance learning
The analysis pointed out that sitting at home, during the epidemic period, prompted the country's population to desire to improve their skills and knowledge via the Internet.
Searches for "online training courses" peaked in April 2020, before falling slightly in May.
This decrease is considered normal, and may not be interpreted as a decline in interest, but rather as a result of finding appropriate online training courses during April and following them up in May, which leaves less room for further research.
Popular searches in the field of distance learning, which recorded the highest increase in search frequency, included "online training courses", "Harvard online courses" and "free online courses that give certificates".
Distance working
According to the Dubai Chamber analysis, interest in teleworking peaked in March 2020, when a large portion of companies relied on home work protocols. The gradual decline in the popularity of this research in the past April and May is considered normal, as the population has become more familiar with the concept of work from home.
Popular search queries with the highest increase in search frequency include "working from home in Dubai" and "how to work from home".
Furniture
The analysis indicated that searching for furniture via the Internet before the spread of the Corona epidemic formed a common topic, as electronic search data appears, while the attractiveness of research on this topic has emerged in recent months, especially for "Ikea" and "Home Center" ».
Consumers spending more time at home increased their awareness of the design of their homes and furniture, which led to more searches on the topic. The presence of a large number of employees, who have been working from home in recent months, has increased the need for home office furniture. Popular search queries that recorded the highest increase in search frequency include the phrase "IKEA", "IKEA delivery", "IKEA office", and "IKEA online".
Spending holidays inside the country
The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry analysis showed that the term holiday in the country indicates a period in which an individual or family spends a vacation and participates in recreational activities near the home.
He pointed out that the restrictions recently imposed on movement around the world to limit the spread of the Corona virus contributed to giving a strong impetus to this concept.
He indicated that there are other factors that contributed to increasing the interest of the UAE residents in spending the holiday in the country, including the fact that this period coincides with two major holidays (Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha), along with the fact that the summer season has historically been the preferred time of the year for residents to take their annual leave.
Popular search queries that have recorded the highest increase in search times include "vacationing in Dubai", "vacationing in the UAE", and "holiday spending deals within the country".
• 316% annual growth in card payments for groceries in the UAE during April.
• Monitoring the new reality for consumers, was done by analyzing the data of «Google» indicators of daily research behaviors.
Having a large number of employees working remotely, which increased the need for home office furniture.