Major online retailers Amazon and noon launch 11.11 sales in the UAE with discounts up to 90%

According to jewelers, consumers in the United Arab Emirates are increasingly looking to lock in gold prices ahead of the Dhanteras festival, which falls on Friday, November 6th. Currency volatility is prompting buyers to plan purchases earlier than usual.

On Wednesday morning in the UAE, the prices for 24-carat and 22-carat gold were AED 484 and AED 448.25 per gram, respectively. However, over the weekend, the price of 24-carat gold dropped to AED 467 per gram, leading residents of the UAE to secure the prices offered by leading jewelry stores before the festival begins.

Chirag Vora, Managing Director and CEO of Bafleh Jewellers, noted that customers are becoming more mindful of timing, and locking in prices gives them 'greater confidence' in planning purchases without fear of sudden cost increases. The greatest interest is shown by those planning large purchases, including wedding jewelry and festive shopping.

Anil Dhanak, Managing Director of Kanz Jewels, stated that price protection schemes are becoming more attractive to clients who have already decided to buy. This trend is particularly noticeable among Indian expats, for whom Dhanteras is an auspicious occasion for purchasing gold jewelry.

The 'Diwali Gold Rush' promotion, running until November 12th at over 170 jewelry stores, offers buyers a share of 1 kg of gold. Customers who spend AED 1500 on jewelry at a participating store qualify for a draw. Five winners will receive 100g of gold each as Dhanteras prizes, and the grand prize will be 500g.

This promotion is organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), which is part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and is part of the celebration of the Festival of Lights.

Participating brands include Arakkal Gold & Diamonds, Kanz Jewels, Bafleh Jewellery, Jawhara, La Marquise Diamonds & Watches, Lifestyle Fine Jewelry, Tajvi Gold & Diamonds, Thangals, Meena Jewellers, Kundan Kala Jewellery, and Malabar Gold & Diamonds. Some jewelers also offer discounts, purchase gifts, and special manufacturing terms.

Both retailers noted that buyers are considering more than just the gold rate. Vora emphasized that buyers evaluate the manufacturing cost, design variety, metal purity, and overall shopping experience, considering transparent pricing key to building trust. Dhanak advised customers to consider the total value, including craftsmanship, purity, and manufacturing costs.

Both leaders expect increased buying interest as Dhanteras approaches. Vora observed that young consumers are joining traditional gold jewelry buyers, while Dhanak pointed to Dubai's well-regulated market and pricing transparency as strengths for buyers.

The real estate market in Dubai South has demonstrated record figures in the first eight months of 2026. According to a recent micro-market report by the consulting company ANAROCK Research, 12,428 residential property deals were concluded from January to August 2026. This figure is 27% higher than the 9,788 deals registered in 2025, meaning that the sales volume for the first eight months of 2026 already exceeds the entire sales volume of the previous year.

There is also an acceleration in the total sales volume. For the period from January to August 2026, the total value of residential property reached 15.9 billion dirhams. This amount accounts for about 81% of the total annual sales volume of 19.6 billion dirhams recorded in 2025. If the sales pace continues through December, the total sales volume for 2026 could reach approximately 23.9 billion dirhams; however, it should be noted that this is only a forecast based on current dynamics and not an official ANAROCK projection.

When compared with long-term data, the annual sales volume of residential property in Dubai South in 2020 was only 0.72 billion dirhams. By 2025, this figure grew to 19.6 billion dirhams, representing an increase in sales volume of approximately 27 times over five years. Concurrently, the number of annual transactions increased from 672 to 9,788.

The report also identified significant changes in housing buyer preferences. In Dubai South, the share of smaller and more affordable apartments is growing. From January to August 2026, the share of studio apartments in the total volume of residential deals reached 45%, compared to 19.5% in 2025. The share of 1-BHK apartments was 31%. Thus, studios and 1-BHK apartments together account for about 76% of all deals, and the share of apartments in the total residential sales volume reached 94.5%, indicating a preference among buyers for smaller units in this area.

The average price per square foot in Dubai South has also increased. According to ANAROCK, in January-August 2026, the average price was 1,656 dirhams per square foot, whereas in 2020 it was 650 dirhams, representing an approximate increase in the average price by two and a half times during this period. Despite this increase, the average amount spent on purchasing one property has decreased. In 2023, the average deal size peaked at 2.57 million dirhams, but in January-August 2026, it fell to 1.28 million dirhams. ANAROCK explains this by the increase in small object sales, as the rising share of studios and 1-BHK apartments led to a decrease in the average purchase cost per property, which does not imply a drop in prices across the entire market.

Tourism companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are noting a significant increase in early bookings for winter holidays, exceeding 25% compared to the same period last year. Residents of the region are actively planning trips towards the end of the year, aiming to secure the best prices on flights, accommodation, and special offers.

Travelers are striving to maximize school holidays, National Day celebrations, and New Year. They are looking for both snowy destinations in Europe and Japan, as well as shorter family trips to nearby regions.

Tourism experts emphasize that more people prefer to book in advance to avoid limited availability in popular spots and missing out on advantageous package deals that sell out quickly.

Adil Tanrıverdi, CEO of Tripventura, reported a substantial increase in early winter bookings. He noted a surge in early reservations among UAE residents ranging from 25% to 30% compared to last year.

According to Tanrıverdi, strong economic confidence in the UAE is prompting travelers to move away from spontaneous planning. Over 65% of the company's clients have already confirmed their winter itineraries long before the trip to guarantee the best accommodation options and competitive airfare rates.

Demand for winter holidays is being shown through the selection of destinations outside traditional spots. Tanrıverdi added that demand for long, educational trips has increased by 35%, with strong interest shown in Japan, the Lapland region in Finland, Switzerland, and Georgia.

Meanwhile, nearly 40% of the company's package tour volume is dedicated to short, budget-friendly family trips to Oman, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. This trend suggests that travelers are balancing the desire for luxury trips with choosing more affordable options depending on budget, time, and family commitments.

Rashida Zahid, Vice President of Operations at musafir.com, reported a significant rise in interest, noting an increase in demand of approximately 43% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. She mentioned that package booking has started because many residents are planning trips during the long weekends for National Day and New Year.

Families are using school holidays to return to their home countries and visit relatives. Among popular destinations, according to Zahid, are Switzerland, Germany, Paris, Almaty, Armenia, Baku, and Georgia. Tourists are attracted by fairs, winter gastronomic experiences, snowfall, and sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

The diversity of destinations reflects different travel priorities: families often choose longer vacations, while couples and solo travelers may prefer shorter international trips.

Since school holiday dates are known, and residents anticipate the end-of-year public holidays, travel agencies note that clients are increasingly using the calendar for advance planning. Zahid specified that about 28% of travelers book in advance to take advantage of the best offers available at the initial launch of packages.

Tanrıverdi from Tripventura also noted that early booking helps travelers save between 15% and 20% of the total trip costs, allowing families to enjoy a comfortable vacation without having to shorten the trip duration.

The shift towards early planning affects not only the overseas trips of UAE residents. The residential housing sector in Dubai is also preparing for an active winter season, with the majority of demand generated by international guests.

Shilpa Mahtani, co-founder and managing director of bnbme Holiday Homes, stated that booking activity is increasing as Dubai enters its peak tourist season. She noted encouraging signs of demand for the next three months, emphasizing that international tourists, rather than UAE residents, are showing greater interest.

Mahtani also mentioned that current rates are slightly lower than last year, which stimulates early booking and securing better deals. The resumption of airline operations has also contributed to increased confidence and demand. Accommodation operators expect further price increases as properties fill up and availability decreases.