MASTERCARD CONSUMER SHOPPER SNAPSHOT 2025 Shoppers rely more on discounts, Al, price comparisons this season

Holiday shopping in the UAE is becoming less impulsive and far more calculated.

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE | Your Money Editor

A new snapshot from Mastercard shows shoppers are planning ahead, watching prices closely and using technology to make sure their money goes further during the festive season.

The Mastercard Consumer Shopper Snapshot 2025, based on a survey of more than 4,000 adults across four markets, including over 1,000 respondents in the UAE, points to a clear shift in mindset. Gift-buying is no longer just about generosity. It's about control, value and reducing financial stress.

Eight in ten UAE consumers say value for money is their top priority when choosing gifts. Rising living costs are shaping behaviour. About 76 per cent say shopping has become more stressful as prices climb, pushing many to plan earlier and budget more carefully.

Doing their homework carefully

Shoppers are doing their homework before spending. Around 89 per cent read reviews regularly, while 88 per cent compare prices across retailers before buying. Many now start their holiday shopping months in advance, spreading costs and avoiding last-minute spending spikes that strain monthly budgets.

Sales events still play a central role.