Customers in the UAE like to reveal their love with blossoms on Valentine's Day, reveals Mastercard Love Index 2018, produced by examining credit, debit and prepaid purchases throughout the past 3 Valentine periods (11 th - 14 th February 2015-17). Inning accordance with the index, the total spend on blossoms in the UAE has actually increased by 146% versus 2015, with the number of deals boosting by 158%. While individual touch is important to UAE residents with 86% of purchases around Valentine's Day being made person, ecommerce purchases also saw a 111% rise from Valentine's Day 2015 to Valentine's Day 2017. On top of that, the share of spend on restaurants has stayed secure over the previous 3 years, taking a 9% share of invest and a 44% share of purchases in 2017.

The research, which considered shopper behavior in greater than 200 territories around the globe, identified even more purchasing trends.

Are we planners or spontaneous when it concerns matters crazy in the UAE? The information suggests that we are being successful of the contour when getting presents. It's no more left until the last minute, as the majority (28%) of Valentine's acquisitions in the UAE are made on 11 February. However, simply over a quarter (28%) of all deals (between 11 - 14 February) were made on Valentine's Day itself.

" The Mastercard Love Index - currently in its 3rd year - highlights global and regional fads to provide merchants a valuable understanding right into customer buying practices over the charming period. Developing unique memories with your enjoyed one on Valentine's Day reveals no signs of reducing and blossoms continue to be a solid sign of love for the UAE. On top of that, the boost in shopping purchases around Valentine's Day points in the direction of an expanding on-line shopping society in the country, sustained by the fast adoption of mobile repayment remedies such as Masterpass, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay," said Girish Nanda, General Manager, UAE & Oman, Mastercard.

Summary of consumer spending habits in the Middle East and Africa:

Middle East and Africa
- People are planning ahead in MEA with the majority (29%) of Valentines purchases happening on the 11th February (620k transactions globally on February 11th over the past 3 years)
- Share of spend on hotels has also remained stable over the past 3 years; taking a 41% share of spend and a 21% share of transactions in 2017
- Spend on flowers has increased by 96% vs. 2015 with the number of transactions increasing by 71%.