Will Technology and Emotions Drive GCC Consumer Trends by 2035?
Dentsu released the GCC edition of its major global study, Consumer Vision 2035: The Era of the Insight-to-Foresight Pivot, which highlights the consumer trends that will shape the next decade. The research shows that people in the GCC are becoming more comfortable with AI managing a variety of tasks for them, whether it's administrative work or shopping.
While technology is going to play a huge role in shaping people’s lives, nature and societal changes will also have a big impact. The study suggests that long-held ideas around growth and prosperity will be questioned, leading to a shift in both culture and business. As a result, people are likely to rely more on their emotions and personal passions when they interact with brands.
For instance, over a third of GCC consumers say their mood at the time of purchase has a major influence on what they buy. There’s also this growing desire to be more impulsive, with many actively seeking experiences that stir strong emotions. And interestingly, concerns about data privacy are tied to this rise in individuality—half of consumers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia feel strongly that they should own the rights to the personal data that brands and governments collect from them.
All these trends have big implications for businesses. One of the key takeaways is that companies need to shift from simply understanding consumer insights to predicting and acting on their emotional needs. This ability to move from insight to foresight is going to be critical for businesses to succeed by 2035.
On the launch of the report, Alex Jena, CSO at dentsu MENAT, highlighted how exciting it is to see Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the way on the global stage. Consumers here are ready to embrace these technological changes more than ever. Meanwhile, Tarek Daouk, CEO of dentsu MENAT, emphasised that business leaders in the region should start preparing for this shift now. By leveraging both technology and creativity, companies can position themselves for long-term success. Those who innovate early will have the biggest opportunities in the fast-changing GCC market.
