Ramadan 2025: Data-Driven Strategies to Engage UAE & KSA Consumers

Ramadan is a season of reflection, generosity, and connection, and it is also one of the most dynamic periods for consumer behavior in the UAE and KSA. With shifts in online activity, spending habits, and engagement patterns, brands will miss out on opportunities to engage, convert and retain customers if they don't adapt to new consumer trends.

Understanding Consumer Behavior Across the UAE and KSA During Ramadan

Several key trends define consumer behavior during Ramadan:

• Online engagement skyrockets: In the GCC, mobile shopping peaks during Ramadan nights, with 76% of consumers in Saudi Arabia using their smartphones for purchases. (Think with Google)
• There is a surge in last-minute shopping: Search interest for “offers” and “discounts” increases by 40% in the last 10 days of Ramadan, indicating a high intent to purchase. (Google MENA)
• Social commerce leads: 61% of UAE and Saudi consumers shop directly via Instagram and TikTok during Ramadan, with 25% basing purchases on influencer recommendations. (Campaign Middle East)
• Brands can leverage loyalty & retention opportunities: 74% of Saudi consumers research products online before purchasing, while 62% of Emiratis plan to increase their charitable giving, presenting opportunities for brands to align with social impact campaigns. (TGM Research)

Leveraging data and analytics-driven tools can help businesses optimize engagement and drive higher conversions during this high-traffic period.

A well-structured customer data ecosystem can help brands connect multiple touchpoints across social, web, mobile, and offline interactions, ensuring a seamless and personalized consumer experience.

Behavioural Analytics: Understanding the Ramadan Consumer Journey in Real Time

Why it matters: During Ramadan, user behavior changes dramatically—spending habits shift, browsing hours extend, and preferences evolve. Without real-time behavioral insights, brands risk relying on outdated engagement strategies.

? Track shifting engagement trends – Analyze when users are most active. If late-night browsing surges but conversions drop, consider offering limited-time Suhoor discounts to drive urgency.

? Pinpoint high-intent users – Identify users who engage deeply (multiple product page views, adding items to cart) but don’t convert. These users can be targeted via personalized push notifications through an engagement platform.

? Compare Ramadan vs. non-Ramadan behavior – Understand how consumer journeys shift by benchmarking key metrics before, during, and after Ramadan. Use this data to refine year-round marketing strategies.

? Leverage features like session replays – Watch how users navigate your website or app during Ramadan. Identify friction points, such as checkout drop-offs for Iftar meal deliveries or last-minute Eid gift purchases, and optimize the user journey accordingly.

? Connect engagement tools for a seamless experience – Always consider an analytics tool that has the right integrations for you. An integrated analytics ecosystem can link behavioral insights with messaging, personalization, and A/B testing to optimize engagement and conversions.

Precision Engagement: With Push & In-App Messaging

Why it matters: With increased digital noise during Ramadan, businesses must time their outreach perfectly—otherwise, messages get ignored.

? Send pre-Iftar and Suhoor reminders – If a restaurant app sees peak activity 30 minutes before Iftar, you can trigger an automatic push notification with “Order Now for Fast Iftar Delivery” messaging.

? Recover abandoned carts with urgency-based messaging – If a customer leaves a gift purchase unfinished, send a push notification: “Eid is Almost Here! Complete Your Order & Get 10% Off” or “X Influencer Swears by This Product. Don’t Miss Out - Get 20% Off On Purchase”.

? Drive app engagement with Ramadan-exclusive content – Promote recipe ideas, spiritual reminders, or donation opportunities based on user preferences.

Using a Customer Data Platform: Creating a Unified Ramadan Customer Journey?

Why it matters: Customers engage across multiple platforms—social media, email, mobile apps, and in-store. A fragmented experience leads to missed opportunities and lower engagement.

? Bridge online and offline data – If a customer visits a store but doesn’t buy, a customer data platform can sync this data with digital touchpoints, triggering a personalized SMS reminder with an exclusive Ramadan discount.

? Enhance loyalty programs – Identify repeat Ramadan shoppers and offer exclusive Eid perks. For instance, past high-spenders can receive a personalized thank-you offer for their loyalty.

? Trigger automated cross-platform workflows – If a customer adds a Ramadan product to their cart on the website but doesn’t check out, the CDP can send this data to the integrated engagement platform, triggering a personalized push notification reminder.

AI-Driven Personalization for Ramadan Campaigns

Why it matters: AI-powered experimentation and personalization allow businesses to create hyper-relevant experiences tailored to Ramadan audiences.?

With consumer behavior fluctuating significantly during the holy month, brands can:

?Deliver AI-powered personalized experiences – Show tailored product recommendations based on browsing behavior, ensuring that users see relevant offers like Iftar meal kits, traditional clothing, or Eid gift sets.

?Optimize pricing strategies in real-time – Implement dynamic pricing models that adjust based on demand spikes for high-interest items like home decor, food hampers, or travel bookings for Eid.

?Utilize geolocation-based personalization – Serve customized offers based on user locations in the UAE and KSA, ensuring that region-specific preferences (such as local Iftar deals or Eid fashion trends) are highlighted.

Powering Ramadan Campaigns with the Right Technology

At HEMOdata, we work with leading technology partners to bring together best-of-breed solutions for behavioral analytics, customer data management, AI-driven personalization, precision engagement, and more. Our ecosystem includes tools that seamlessly integrate to help businesses optimize their Ramadan marketing efforts.

Building Meaningful Engagement Beyond Ramadan

Ramadan is more than just a peak sales period—it’s an opportunity for brands to build deeper relationships with their customers.?

Some key things to note:

?? Thoughtful Messaging & Timing – Be mindful of Iftar and Suhoor hours when scheduling campaigns and promotions.

?? Loyalty Beyond Ramadan – Use insights gained during Ramadan to refine year-round engagement strategies and foster long-term customer relationships.

Want to ensure your Ramadan campaigns are powered by data-driven insights? Get in touch with HEMOdata today and let’s build impactful engagement strategies together.