Shopping & Promotions, Technologies

Beyond Points and Discounts: How Regional Brands Are Building Emotional Loyalty

By Adam Whatling, Chief Commercial Officer, Loylogic

For years, loyalty programs across the region operated on a simple formula: spend more, earn more. Points, vouchers, cashback, and discounts became the currency of customer retention. But in today’s market, where consumers are overwhelmed with choice and increasingly resistant to transactional marketing, that model is rapidly losing its power.

Adam Whatling

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Sports & Recreations

Azizi Developments Recognized for Support at Dubai World Cup

Recognition highlights Azizi Developments’ continued contribution to Dubai’s world-class sporting and cultural landscape

Dubai, UAE – 11 June 2026: Mr. Mirwais Azizi, Founder and Chairman of Azizi Developments, has been presented with the Sponsorship Appreciation Award and Certificate by Dubai Racing Club in recognition of the company’s distinguished support of the Dubai World Cup.

The recognition was presented during the Dubai World Cup by His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council and President of the UAE Olympic Committee. The certificate bears the signature of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. During a subsequent meeting at the Azizi office Majlis, His Excellency Ali Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the Dubai Racing Club, formally handed over the Certificate and Award to Mr. Mirwais Azizi.

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Real Estate, Sports & Recreations

Experience FIFA World Cup 2026 at Heart of Europe

UAE Residents can enjoy FIFA World Cup 2026 matches while on a Luxury Summer Staycation at the Heart of Europe Island

As summer temperatures rise and demand for local luxury escapes continues to grow, The Heart of Europe combines world-class hospitality, immersive European-inspired experiences, and live FIFA World Cup 2026 screenings to create one of the UAE’s most distinctive staycation offerings with festivals

Date: Dubai, UAE; June 10, 2026

Football fans in the UAE can enjoy the FIFA World Cup matches from June 11 till July 19, 2026, at a new destination — The Heart of Europe, Dubai’s premier island staycation destination located on The World Islands – while enjoying day-long festivities that keep the guests mesmerised with festivals, including Tunaria and Portofino.

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Featured

Visa Study: 85% in UAE Use AI to Shop, But Trust is Key at Checkout

85% of consumers in UAE have used AI to assist with shopping, while 93% feel AI-powered tools make online shopping faster and easier.  

  • 85% believe AI will play a critical role in protecting consumers from fraud in the future, but only 32% today trust AI agents to complete checkout.
  • 69% have purchased directly through social commerce, while 38% of consumers who experienced scams report it happened on social media.
  • 80% are concerned children struggle to recognize scams, and 67% have seen a child fall victim while gaming or shopping online.
  • Only 19% believe consumers should be primarily responsible for protection against fraud when shopping online. Separately, 60% say alerts when something looks suspicious would help them feel more secure paying online.

Dubai, UAE – 9 June 2026 – Visa, a world leader in digital payments, today released the annual Stay Secure study in the UAE, which assesses consumer awareness and behaviors around digital commerce and fraud. This year’s edition, conducted by Wakefield Research, highlights how AI‑enabled shopping and social commerce are changing consumer behavior even as expectations around trust and protection remain firmly in place.

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Food & Dining

Why American Pecans are finding a place on UAE tables

DUBAI – June 10, 2025: As UAE consumers become more conscious about nutrition, provenance and premium food experiences, America’s native tree nut is gaining quiet momentum across retail, hospitality and gifting segments.

The UAE’s relationship with nuts runs deep. From pistachios and walnuts to almonds and cashews, nuts have long been part of everyday snacking, festive gifting, and hospitality traditions across the country.

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