Back to school in UAE: Demand for gadgets rises; retailers offer up to 30% discount

With more than one million students returning to classrooms across the UAE, parents are heading to electronics stores to purchase laptops, tablets and other devices for the new academic year.

Retailers are seeing strong demand for student technology and have introduced discounts, trade-in programmes, exchange offers and instalment plans to help families manage back-to-school expenses.

Laptops Remain the Top Choice for Students

Pradeep Meena, Head of Retail at Emax, said laptops remain the most popular technology purchase among students, although requirements differ depending on their age and academic level.

For university students, MacBook Pro models and high-performance gaming laptops are among the most requested options. Devices with strong computing capabilities are particularly important for students studying subjects such as architecture and engineering.

For students in Grades 8 and 9, tablets and iPads remain highly popular because of their portability and suitability for digital learning.

Retailers are also seeing increased demand for noise-cancelling headphones, which can help students concentrate while studying in busy household environments.

Tablets Popular Among Younger Students

Ashish Panjabi, COO of Jacky's Retail, said similar buying trends are being seen across its stores.

Parents of younger students often prefer tablets because they are portable, easy to operate and compatible with online learning platforms.

For university students, however, laptops continue to be the preferred choice because of their greater performance and ability to support demanding academic applications.

Parents Advised to Think Long Term

Retailers are advising parents to consider how long they expect a device to last before making a purchase.

Pradeep said families should determine whether they are buying a device for just one year or whether they expect it to remain useful for the next two to three years.

For university students, he advised against purchasing underpowered or outdated laptops, particularly for courses that require demanding software.

A laptop with an appropriate CPU, GPU and NPU can provide students with enough performance to support them throughout their university education.

Device Should Match Student's Needs

Ashish said the choice of technology should reflect the student's age, course requirements and daily usage.

Parents are also increasingly considering protection plans when purchasing expensive electronics. According to Jacky's, more than 70 per cent of families buying from its stores opt for extended warranties or accidental-damage coverage.

These plans can help protect devices against incidents such as cracked screens and liquid damage.

Students Looking for Connected Technology Ecosystems

Consumers are also increasingly looking beyond individual devices when making technology purchases.

Instead of considering a laptop or tablet separately, families are evaluating how new devices will work with existing smartphones, earbuds and other connected products.

This growing focus on device ecosystems is influencing purchasing decisions as students and families look for technology that works seamlessly together.

UAE Retailers Launch Back-to-School Deals

Several electronics retailers have introduced special promotions to reduce the cost of back-to-school technology.

Emax is offering 24-month zero per cent instalment plans, along with payment options through Tabby and Tamara. Customers using selected bank cards can also receive additional benefits.

Sharaf DG has launched exchange offers and free gifts worth up to Dh500 on selected laptops and tablets. Students and teachers can also receive an additional 5 per cent discount.

Jumbo Electronics is running its back-to-school promotions until September 14, offering students and teachers a 10 per cent discount of up to Dh300, along with assured gifts worth Dh600 on qualifying purchases.

Jacky's Retail is offering discounts of up to 30 per cent on technology products, including student laptops, monitors, accessories and MacBooks.

Trade-In Programmes Gain Popularity

Trade-in and exchange schemes are also becoming increasingly popular among UAE shoppers.

Ashish said trading in an older device can lower the upfront cost of purchasing new technology, which can be particularly useful for families buying several devices at once.

Pradeep also noted a significant increase in customers exchanging older devices for discounts. He said around 15 to 20 per cent of customers now seek to trade in their old devices when purchasing new ones.

With the new academic year underway, retailers expect demand for laptops, tablets and other student technology to remain strong as families equip children for another year of digital learning.