Valentine’s Gifts in UAE Up to Dh40,000 as Sales Surge 40%

Love, luxury, and last-minute spending: UAE Valentine’s gift boom

Akshay Sardana’s perspective on why emotional value is reshaping premium gifting behaviour in the UAE | Continental Group

As Valentine’s Day spending accelerates across the UAE, retailers are seeing a sharp 72-hour surge in demand driven by emotionally charged, last-minute purchases. With luxury gifts reaching up to Dh39,999 and online sales projected to grow by as much as 40 per cent year-on-year, gifting has become less about price sensitivity and more about perceived meaning and emotional impact. Industry voices highlight how consumers increasingly prioritise thoughtful, personalised, and experience-led gifts over traditional notions of luxury defined purely by cost. From curated bundles and limited editions to self-gifting and broader expressions of affection beyond couples, the market reflects a shift where sentiment outweighs financial caution, especially in high-spending GCC consumer segments.