Malls may be closed and shops may be shut, but some brands in the UAE are making themselves more accessible than ever, by inviting customers to place orders via WhatsApp.
Simply message the stores’ dedicated numbers to contact staff who can send you product pictures and prices, plus a secure payment link once you’ve made your selection. Your order will then be delivered to your door.
Whether you want pharmacy basics, home accessories or luxury clothing, here are some of the stores you can browse from your smartphone...
Harvey Nichols
Since the luxury department store can’t operate from its Mall of the Emirates premises, Harvey Nichols has made itself available remotely. Customers are invited to send a message asking to chat to one the department store’s experts, who can send pictures, prices and product recommendations. The service is available from 10am to 5pm and delivery is free.
WhatsApp: 058 106 2247; www.harveynichols.com
Boots
Boots has launched a new home delivery service and has a team of pharmacists on hand to give health advice and offer product recommendations from the pharmacy’s wide range of health and beauty products.
The service is available from 8am to 4pm and you can pay by cash on delivery.
WhatsApp: 056 866 4196; www.me.boots.com
Diptyque
If you are looking to freshen up your home while spending time indoors, Diptyque’s WhatsApp service may come in handy. The company’s scented candles, perfumes, and face and body care products can now be ordered directly, with same-day delivery across the UAE. For orders of more than Dh300, delivery is free and will come with two Diptyque samples.
WhatsApp: 055 218 8356; www.diptyqueparis.com
Aura Living
Home accessories and furniture brand Aura Living has launched the Aura Shopping experience on WhatsApp, with delivery services in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Its customer service team can share catalogues and suggestions.
WhatsApp: +966 542 518 949
Five Little Ducks
For anything baby-related, call on Five Little Ducks, which stocks a range of products by international brands – from car seats and strollers to teething aids, high chairs and changing mats. There are also toys and games to entertain the children, and gifts if you need to send something to a mum-to-be.
WhatsApp: 050 710 3471; www.fivelittleducks
Lorna Jane ME
If you’re taking this opportunity to work out at home, or are adopting a more relaxed approach to workwear now that you are doing your job remotely, you might need to stock up on some activewear. Lorna Jean offers a full range of comfortable, high-performance options that can be ordered via WhatsApp.
WhatsApp: 052 244 7045; www.lornajane.me
My Kaftan
For those opting for a more sophisticated approach to their work-from-home wardrobes, but still wanting to be comfortable, My Kaftan offers a range of beautifully designed options. They’ll make an impression on those Zoom chats, too.
WhatsApp: 050 534 9880; www.mykaftanstore.com
Holly Holistic
If you’re taking this time to practise some self-care, get straight on the phone to the team at Holly Holistic. The UAE’s first home-grown brand dedicated to holistic living sells everything from salt lamps and crystals to dreamcatchers, body products and frankincense. They’ll serve up a bit of positive energy in a difficult time.
WhatsApp: 056 660 8051; www.hollyholistic.com
Longchamp
French fashion and accessories brand Longchamp is also now serving customers via WhatsApp, offering the opportunity to buy its leather goods via the app.
WhatsApp: 050 867 7783 and 056 763 2863; www.longchamp.com
Tumi
Buying new luggage may not be top of anyone’s mind at the moment, but if you did want to get yourself ready for when we can all travel again, the team at luxury suitcase, backpack and bag brand Tumi can be contacted via WhatsApp to offer assistance.
WhatsApp: 055 671 6513 and 056 990 4673; www.tumi.com
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20S%20Frederick%20Starr%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Oxford%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20290%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20January%2024%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The%20Mother%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Niki%20Caro%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jennifer%20Lopez%2C%20Joseph%20Fiennes%2C%20Gael%20Garcia%20Bernal%2C%20Omari%20Hardwick%20and%20Lucy%20Paez%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
