Consumer Behaviour

New research suggests GCC ecommerce spending could rise by up to 10% during Eid al-Adha 2026, as consumers increasingly prioritise local brands, meaningful gifting, and value-driven purchases.

Marketing with a “monk’s mindset” is not about detachment from results, but about discipline in thinking and clarity in intent. As Anand Sankara Narayanan, CMO, Finance House, puts it, the work deserves your everything. The outcome deserves your objectivity.

According to Donna Benton, Founder & CEO, The ENTERTAINER, value isn’t always about saving, “it’s about feeling like you’re getting something worthwhile”. People still want a great deal, now more than ever… but they also want memorable experiences.

As Ramadan 2026 unfolds amid uncertainty, brands are discovering that loyalty is no longer driven by messaging. Instead, consistent actions, reliability, and meaningful customer experiences are shaping deeper emotional connections.

Ramadan marketing is shifting from campaigns to participation. Leaders from Yango Play, Ooredoo Qatar and Al Jazeera reveal why authenticity now depends on how products adapt to Ramadan’s lived rhythms, not on seasonal storytelling.

As AI becomes the new shopping interface, retailers must rethink discovery, data, and customer experience to stay visible. Those who adapt now will shape how consumers find, trust, and buy in an AI-native world.

Richard Shotton, best-selling author and Founder of Astroten, reveals how simple behavioural insights can dramatically improve marketing performance.

The average consumer is signed up to 16 loyalty programs, says Rachel Lynch, VP Marketing, Talon.One. For your brand to win its share of spend, you need to actively stand out and influence consumer behaviour.

Consumers appreciate personalisation when it comes to marketing but have concerns about data privacy. That’s a top finding of a CommerceNext study conducted in partnership with The Commerce Experience Collective, Bizrate and Coresight Research. The news comes at a time when retailers are striving to become more engaged with consumers and tailoring marketing and communications […]

Tiago Rocha da Silva, Chief Marketing Officer at Zain KSA maps how customer satisfaction and quality of service are cornerstones of loyalty. Tiago Rocha da Silva joined Zain KSA as the Chief Marketing Officer in September 2020. He leads the company’s consumer digital transformation effort to provide customers with the best customer experience and innovative […]