Shopping online became the new normal during the coronavirus-induced movement restrictions, with many residents quickly adapting to browsing for items on their phones and laptops.
As malls reopen, some consumers are choosing to stick with the digital option, partly to reduce their exposure to other shoppers, but also to cut the cost of a basket of items by using savings and discount coupons.
Although coupon websites are ubiquitous in the UAE, shoppers often need to scour the internet to manually search for and verify discount codes that offer the best savings.
Find out if the discount is a real discount. A lot of stores promote a higher discount so users feel it is an attractive deal while in reality the product might always have been at this price.
Helwa, a free app that finds the best coupon codes and cashback offers on the internet and automatically applies them to your online shopping cart, hopes to remove this hassle for online shoppers. The brainchild of founders Hitesh Uchil and Abbas Jaffar Ali, who have backgrounds in technology and gaming media, the app went live at the end of last month. It currently works with 35 websites, says Mr Uchil, and hopes to up that to 60 by the end of the month across all categories such as fashion, food and children's accessories.
"In the first couple of days after its launch, Helwa has seen over 200 downloads," he adds. "On the first day, we helped users with $1,200 [Dh4,407] worth of savings. We are looking to add cashbacks in the next two weeks."
Helwa works with online shopping websites such as Namshi, GAP, H&M, Mamas and Papas, Bath & Body Works, Fresh to Home, Pottery Barn and others. Savings on these stores range from 5 per cent to 30 per cent. The Helwa browser extension helps the user by finding the coupon with the biggest discount on their purchase.
While the free web browser app currently works exclusively with Google Chrome on a user's desktop, mobile shoppers on both Android and iPhone can copy any coupons validated on Helwa and paste them separately on partner shopping apps for their online purchases, explains Mr Ali.
With so much uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak and many UAE residents keen to cut costs, here's a comprehensive guide on how to save while shopping online.
Compare, compare, compare
Your first step should be to compare prices of the particular item you want across different sites.
Haneen Dabain, co-founder of Pricena.com, a price comparison website in the UAE, advises users to check whether the price advertised is the best in the market.
“Find out if the discount is a real discount. A lot of stores promote a higher discount so users feel it is an attractive deal while in reality the product might always have been at this price," she says.
Ms Dabain says users can save up to Dh600 by purchasing a mobile phone online through a platform like Pricena.com, which refers shoppers to third party online retailers. For high-priced appliances such as fridges and TVs, users can save up to Dh2,000 on the comparison website. However, she adds that offline stores can also offer good prices if there is a sale.
“During the pandemic, we noticed a 50 per cent increase in visits to our website as well as leads to online shops. Conversion rates have also increased. The shopping cart value has also gone up. People are buying more items in a single transaction than before,” Ms Dabain says.
While prices have increased for in-demand products such as masks, gloves and cleaning products on the price comparison website, they have lowered in categories like electronics and fashion.
Buy discount coupons
A number of coupon websites in the UAE help users save on costs. However, users checking deals on stand-alone coupon websites, such as Groupon and Cobone, must read the terms and conditions and be aware of exclusions before making the purchase.
“From blackout dates and short validities in terms of expiry dates, to no guarantee of availability, buyers must read the fine print before buying a coupon/voucher," says Ambareen Musa, founder and chief executive, Souqalmal.com.
"Further, vouchers that offer a percentage discount may have a minimum spend limit attached to them, so that’s worth checking beforehand too."
Check the shipping rate
Online shoppers should look out for free delivery options because delivery charges can significantly increase an online shopping bill. Express delivery often comes at a premium too. Some sites, for example, offer free delivery if the value of your purchase crosses a certain amount. Therefore, there is value in making bulk purchases.
"If users are not in a hurry to buy the product, they can wait for a few days and not pay extra for express delivery," says Ms Dabain.
For instance, Amazon Prime subscribers get free next-day delivery across the UAE with no minimum purchase on thousands of products.
Keep tabs on bank offers
Your credit card or debit card provider will have a list of discounts or cashback offers, as retailers and service providers tie up with banks on exclusive deals to bank customers.
Emirates NBD card holders, for example, are entitled to special offers and discounts on electronics, travel, shopping, spa and restaurant deals.
Sign up for online newsletters
One of the easiest ways to stay on top of sales, promotions, seasonal offers and stock clearance discounts is to sign up for your favourite shopping website’s online newsletters, says Ms Musa.
"You could also receive discount codes through these newsletters," she adds.
For instance, you can sign up for newsletters from The Dubai Mall to be informed of all the latest promotions and discounts offered by all its retailers.
Stay ahead of dynamic pricing
Online shoppers should also consider their browsing history when they shop online, says Ms Musa.
“Have you ever seen the price of a flight ticket or hotel go up a little bit, every time you visit the site and check? That’s dynamic pricing in action, where merchants manipulate prices based on your browsing pattern, spending behaviour and overall demand for the item/service in question," she adds. "Try clearing your browser history and deleting cookies, or even switching to incognito browsing mode to beat this sneaky tactic."
Cut down on eating out
For many UAE residents, the movement restrictions saw their spend on restaurant dine-ins hit the zero mark while their expenditure on food delivery increased. However, as these measures eased, many residents continued to be cautious about dining out.
Last month, more than 200 restaurant owners in the UAE clubbed together to launch a food delivery app and website called GoFood to eliminate delivery fees for consumers. Available to download on iOS and Android, the app rewards consumers with Dh200 worth of loyalty points when they download it. For every Dh10 spent on the platform, customers earn Dh1 and they have six months to redeem the accrued points.
Meanwhile, The Entertainer, a money-saving app, reported a 100 per cent increase in food delivery orders during the pandemic in the UAE.
“A lot of people have taken a reduction in salaries or lost jobs. They are trying to save money and we want to enable it. We have added a lot of quick service restaurants and mid-range restaurants to the app,” says Mike Rich, international marketing director, The Entertainer.
During the pandemic, the app was offered free to give people access to 25 per cent discounts on deliveries. The Entertainer also offered 25 per cent off food deliveries to clients of its partners such as Visa and MasterCard. These offers were valid from March until the end of June. However, Entertainer members are still entitled to both buy-one-get-one-free offers and the 25 per cent discount on deliveries.
Members of The Entertainer app spent Dh70 to Dh80 on average on food delivery in the UAE during the pandemic, Mr Rich says, with the health and beauty sectors now seeing a big resurgence in activity on the app as people start moving around more normally.
For the uninitiated, when users download The Entertainer app for free they receive one free trial. They also gain access to thousands of buy-one-get-one-free discounts as well as percentage discounts in categories across food and drinks, attractions, such as water parks, as well as retail, travel and everyday services such as eye tests.
The company says it is now looking at making its product more affordable. “In 2021, we are looking at a repricing structure. We are adding more products and offers for our members to use and save as much money as possible,” Mr Rich adds.
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ogram%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Kouatly%20and%20Shafiq%20Khartabil%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20On-demand%20staffing%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2050%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMore%20than%20%244%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%2C%20Aditum%20and%20Oraseya%20Capital%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Anna and the Apocalypse
Director: John McPhail
Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton
Three stars
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
|
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Meydan race card
6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m
7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m
7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
Asia%20Cup%202022
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Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
Netherlands v UAE, Twenty20 International series
Saturday, August 3 - First T20i, Amstelveen
Monday, August 5 – Second T20i, Amstelveen
Tuesday, August 6 – Third T20i, Voorburg
Thursday, August 8 – Fourth T20i, Vooryburg
The years Ramadan fell in May
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
