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Story perspectives

UAE Retail Discounts Squeeze Margins, Job Growth Stalls

1/8/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Retail discounting in the UAE is intensifying, leading to squeezed margins and hiring difficulties.
Despite increased orders, employment levels are stagnant, with the UAE's unemployment rate at 2.7%.
Companies are not planning pay raises and are cutting salaries for new hires.
Rising business costs, particularly in real estate, are straining employer finances.
Kuwait faces similar hiring challenges, with an unemployment rate of 2.03%.

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Story summary

Retail discounting in the UAE is intensifying, leading to squeezed margins and hiring difficulties.
Despite increased orders, employment levels are stagnant, with the UAE's unemployment rate at 2.7%.
Companies are not planning pay raises and are cutting salaries for new hires.
Rising business costs, particularly in real estate, are straining employer finances.
Kuwait faces similar hiring challenges, with an unemployment rate of 2.03%.