Ramadan 2027 in UAE: Shoppers set to plan earlier and celebrate more at home

UAE households are expected to begin their Ramadan shopping earlier, host more family gatherings at home and manage their spending more carefully during Ramadan 2027, according to a new consumer behaviour analysis by Worldpanel by Numerator.

The forecast is based on shopping patterns observed during Ramadan 2026, when regional conflict influenced family gatherings, hospitality and shopping habits. More consumers opted for home-based celebrations, while online grocery shopping gained popularity.

Worldpanel expects these trends to continue into Ramadan 2027, with the holy month falling closer to the winter season. Ongoing regional uncertainty is also likely to encourage households, brands and retailers to plan ahead.

According to the UAE's Astronomy Centre, Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on February 8.

When Will Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr 2027 Begin in the UAE?

Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on Monday, February 8, in the UAE, subject to the official moon sighting.

Eid Al Fitr will depend on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. The expected dates are:

March 8, 2027: Expected Shawwal crescent sighting on the evening of Ramadan 29.

March 9, 2027: Eid Al Fitr if the crescent is sighted on March 8.

March 10, 2027: Eid Al Fitr if Ramadan completes 30 days.

Eid Al Fitr is celebrated during the first three days of the Islamic month of Shawwal. The final dates will be confirmed through the official moon-sighting announcement.

UAE Shoppers Expected to Plan Online Purchases Earlier

The Worldpanel report highlights the growing importance of e-commerce during Ramadan, describing online shopping as a pre-season marketplace where consumers plan and finalise their shopping baskets before visiting physical stores.

During the Ramadan 2026 quarter, e-commerce accounted for 8.7% of FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) volume in the UAE.

Online shopping also recorded growth in shopper penetration and purchase frequency. However, consumers made smaller purchases per order, choosing to shop more frequently rather than buying large quantities at once.

Despite the growth of online shopping, modern retail continued to dominate, accounting for 71.5% of FMCG volume.

UAE FMCG Spending Increased by 5.3%

Consumer spending on fast-moving consumer goods in the UAE increased by 5.3% year-on-year during the Ramadan 2026 quarter, while volumes grew by 3.5%.

Dairy products recorded the strongest growth among the highlighted categories, with spending increasing by 7.5% and volumes rising by 5.2%.

Home Care also performed well, recording a 7.2% increase in spending and a 4.8% rise in volume.

However, growth was not consistent across all product categories. Around 53% of FMCG categories recorded volume growth during the quarter, compared with 64% over the 12 months to March 2026.

Personal Care spending declined by 2.8%, while Beverage volumes dropped by 1.1%.

More Family Gatherings and Celebrations at Home

The report suggests that regional conflict influenced consumer lifestyles and shopping decisions during Ramadan 2026.

Many households shifted towards home-based family meals and hospitality, while hybrid and remote working arrangements also influenced daily routines.

These changes indicate that consumers are becoming more selective about their purchases while prioritising important family occasions.

Idriss El Ganari, Managing Director for Africa and the Middle East at Worldpanel by Numerator, said consumers are increasingly planning ahead and focusing their spending on occasions that matter most to them.

Ramadan Shopping Trends Differ Across the Middle East

The report also examined consumer behaviour in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco, highlighting differences in shopping patterns across the region.

Saudi Arabia: Households stocked up on essential products earlier than usual. February FMCG spending reached an index of 117 compared with a typical month.

Egypt: FMCG spending increased by 30%, while volumes rose by 20% compared with non-Ramadan periods. The growth was largely driven by existing shoppers purchasing more products.

Morocco: Consumers did not follow the usual pre-Ramadan stock-up pattern. The number of packs purchased per shopper declined by 5%.

These differences highlight why brands and retailers may need country-specific marketing and inventory strategies rather than following a single regional approach.

What Ramadan 2027 Means for UAE Retailers and Brands

The findings suggest that Ramadan shopping in the UAE is increasingly becoming a longer consumer journey, beginning several weeks before the first fast and continuing through Eid Al Fitr.

For retailers and brands, early inventory planning, stronger online visibility, convenient shopping options and targeted promotions could become increasingly important.

With consumers expected to spend more selectively and prioritise home celebrations, businesses will need to understand changing shopping habits to connect with customers during Ramadan 2027.