Dubai, UAE – Grocery orders placed at 4 a.m. by UAE residents saw a remarkable 70 percent increase in March compared to previous months, according to data released by Careem’s Everything App.
The statistics reveal distinct consumer trends during Ramadan, reflecting changes in eating habits and spending patterns. With fasting residents partaking in their pre-dawn meal, or suhoor, before the call to prayer at approximately 5 a.m., food delivery demand spiked significantly.
The most popular suhoor choices included The Big Feast from McDonald’s and the Plain Paratha from Punjab Flower Restaurant.
Meanwhile, for iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast at dusk, UAE residents favored the 8-piece Wings Meal from Wingstop in Dubai and the traditional meat-based dish Haleem from Ritaj Restaurant in Abu Dhabi.
Careem’s food delivery service saw an overall 36 percent increase in orders during suhoor hours in March compared to February.
Notably, the largest single food order placed in Dubai amounted to over Dh2,460 for 10 items from Café Bateel, while Abu Dhabi recorded an order worth Dh1,410 for 12 items from Behrouz Biryani.
Rise in Online Grocery Shopping
As many residents preferred to shop for groceries online, the app registered an 8 percent increase in grocery deliveries in March compared to February.
The peak grocery shopping hours shifted from the usual 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. during Ramadan, aligning with iftar preparations. Orders placed between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. saw a 25 percent increase.
The largest single grocery order in Dubai totaled Dh2,800 for 60 items, while in Abu Dhabi, an order exceeding Dh1,400 for 42 items was recorded.
Among the most frequently ordered grocery items during Ramadan were bananas, bottled water, cucumbers, and blueberries.
The fastest grocery delivery in Dubai was completed in just 1.5 minutes to Al Safa Park Complex, while in Abu Dhabi, the quickest delivery took 2 minutes to Najmat Tower on Al Reem Island.
Dining Out and Increased Remittances
Aside from home deliveries, UAE residents also dined out frequently during Ramadan. The Dine-Out feature on Careem’s app, which offers discounts at various restaurants, saw extensive use.
One customer saved over Dh6,000 on a booking valued at more than Dh27,000 at the Terrace Iftar at JW Marriott Marquis. Another frequent diner used the service 31 times throughout the month, averaging more than once per day.
Ramadan also led to a surge in international money remittances, with a 6 percent increase in transaction volumes through Careem’s app.
The amount of money sent to India rose by 10 percent, with some customers reaching the monthly transfer cap of Dh450,000, likely due to increased gifting and donations during the holy month.
Pakistan recorded the highest month-on-month increase in remittances, with one customer making 46 separate transactions to the country.
The data underscores how Ramadan significantly influences consumer behavior in the UAE, from early-morning grocery shopping to higher spending on dining and international transfers.
These trends highlight the unique ways in which residents adapt their routines to accommodate the religious and social aspects of the holy month.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members