News DeskDubai, UAE – With Eid Al Adha on the horizon, UAE consumers are increasingly turning to eGift cards, blending the traditional Eidiya practice with modern conveniences. A recent survey by YOUGotaGift, in collaboration with YouGov, highlights that 62% of UAE consumers prefer receiving gift cards from their favorite brands over conventional gifts, with an even higher preference (77%) among Emiratis.
YOUGotaGift, the foremost marketplace for digital gift cards in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has observed a steady year-over-year increase in Eidiya eGift Card purchases since 2022. This trend reflects a broader consumer shift towards digital solutions that offer convenience and personalization. The survey, conducted online with over 1,000 UAE respondents, reveals significant insights into these changing preferences.
Husain Makiya, CEO of YOUGotaGift, commented, “Gift cards have surged in popularity due to their versatility, convenience, and ease of use. This survey underscores the growing inclination towards digital gifting solutions among UAE nationals and expatriates, emphasizing the freedom and flexibility they provide.”
The survey also sheds light on the corporate sector, where 68% of employed respondents expressed a preference for receiving gift cards over traditional corporate gifts. This trend provides a timely opportunity for organizations to innovate their employee engagement and reward strategies using gift card offerings.
“The UAE’s young, digitally adept population, supported by progressive government initiatives in the digital realm, necessitates that organizations adapt to the evolving reward preferences. Digital gift cards offer an effective means to create engaging employee rewards programs that resonate with the tech-savvy workforce,” added Makiya.
Among employed respondents, 77% of Emirati employees prefer gift cards to conventional corporate rewards, compared to 67% of expatriates. This preference is more pronounced among higher-income employees, with 76% of those earning over AED 10,000 per month favoring gift cards.
The survey highlighted the increasing adoption of gift cards, with 66% of UAE consumers having bought or received a gift card in the past six months. Nearly 39% reported doing so in the six months prior.
Demographic analysis within the survey reveals that gift card preferences are particularly strong among males (64%), married individuals (65%), and working professionals (64%). There is a robust preference for digital gift cards across all age groups, with 54% of consumers favoring eGift cards over physical ones. Younger consumers (18-44 years) showed a slightly higher preference for eGift cards (54%) compared to those over 45 (51%).
As the global gift card industry continues to expand rapidly, driven by shifting consumer preferences and the unmatched convenience of digital solutions, YOUGotaGift is at the forefront of this transformation. As a pioneering platform, YOUGotaGift empowers businesses and individuals to deliver memorable, personalized, and rewarding experiences through its curated catalog of digital and phygital gift cards from prestigious brands across the region.
