Consumer experiences remain pivotal for post-pandemic retail

With the future of retail touted as an omnichannel experience, Gulf retailers in the post-pandemic world must strive to engage customers on all levels

Listen in: OPPO Enco W31 launches in the Middle East

The company’s first-ever wireless headphones is now available in the region

Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar

“Time to be bold” – Emaar’s Mohamed Alabbar tells UAE retailers

The chairman told retailers to fast track digital plans, customer experience, loyalty, efficiency and business diversification initiatives

UAE-DUBAI-HEALTH-VIRUS

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 661 cases, 2 deaths; Saudi registers 23 fatalities

The death toll in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has risen to 264 and 503 respectively

Covid-19 impact on the UAE property sector: When will consumer confidence return?

In a post Covid-19 world, the property sector needs to adapt and re-align to meet customer demands and mitigate the long-term effects of the pandemic

Emirates Loto

Seven winners split Dhs1m in UAE’s Emirates Loto draw

The winning combination of numbers were 5, 11, 16, 20, 23 and 38.

Samsung Money

Samsung Money debit card readies for summer launch

Reward points can be exchanged for cash which will be deposited into the customer’s Samsung Money by SoFi account

Spinneys introduces incubator for micro F&B suppliers in UAE

Via the incubator programme, micro F&B businesses will be given the opportunity to list their product at Spinneys for a year with no start-up fees

Dubai’s Meraas offers contactless ‘Curbside Pickup’ service for customers

Participating retailers include Mitts and Trays, BLK Cab Coffee, Catch 22, Aprons & Hammers, Eggspectations, and Urban Seafood, among others

Saudi moved $40bn in reserves to sovereign wealth fund PIF

The sovereign fund has spent billions of dollars this year buying equities, including stakes in BP, Boeing, Citigroup and Facebook

Saudi begins phase two of easing lockdown: Mosques reopen, fines revealed for violators

Domestic flights are also allowed to resume in the kingdom

UAE Ministry of Finance reduces fees for certain federal entities

The measures include a 50 per cent reduction in the fees to register suppliers

Boeing restarts 737 Max factory in step to jet’s comeback

The manufacturer is rolling out more than a dozen initiatives aimed at improving safety and quality on its 737 assembly lines

UAE fuel prices for June announced

This is the second month in a row that prices have remained unchanged

Kuwait Airways plans cutting about 1,500 expatriate jobs

The layoffs will involve employees across all departments

coronavirus Covid-19 UAE

GCC Covid-19 update: UAE reports 563 cases; Saudi registers 1,644 cases, 16 deaths

The death toll in the UAE and Kuwait has risen to 258 and 185 respectively

Gamers Without Borders Saudi Arabia

Saudi’s Gamers Without Borders championship becomes world’s largest charity esports event

The ongoing esports fundraiser has already donated $6.5m to various global charities fighting the Covid-19 pandemic

UAE’s DP World partners with TradeLens to digitise supply chains

DP World aims to connect all of its 82 marine and inland container terminals, as well as feeder companies and logistics divisions with TradeLens

Oil extends slide below $32 on signs US stockpiles swelled

Oil is still up almost 70 per cent this month as supply curbs trim a global glut and pockets of demand emerged after the easing of lockdown restrictions

Abu dhabi uae capital flag

Only 30% of UAE federal government staff to return to workplace from May 31

The decision to increase the number of employees will be reviewed weekly based on the prevailing health conditions

UAE reports 883 Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths

The death toll in the UAE has risen to 255

RTA Tamkeen programme

All Dubai government employees to begin working out of offices from June 14

Fifty per cent of these government employees will resume working from the office starting Sunday, May 31

Airline

Airline debt could grow to $550bn by year-end – IATA

In total, governments have committed to $123bn in financial aid to airlines

Honor

Honor to begin using MediaTek processors in upcoming devices

Honor phones earlier relied on Huawei Kirin processors

Union Properties’ subsidiary begins legal proceedings to claim Dhs1.5bn

The claim is related to a project completed around a decade ago

Saudi extends tourist visas for three months free of charge

The kingdom suspended all international flights in March

Domestic flights to resume in Saudi Arabia from May 31

All local destinations will be covered by these flights within two weeks

Dubai’s MAF to open cinemas, entertainment destinations from May 27

This move is in line with the recent ruling permitting businesses in Dubai to gradually reopen

Offices Send Their employees Home

Dubai offices allowed to reopen with 50% capacity; public transport timings revised

Earlier, offices were permitted to reopen with only 30 per cent of their staff in attendance

Electronic Cigarettes

UAE defers ban on e-cigarettes, water pipe tobacco products without ‘digital tax stamps’

The ban will now go into effect from January 1, 2021