The 56th session of the Arab Permanent Committee on Human Rights kicks off, chaired by Kuwait.- KUNA photos
Latest News
In Kuwait, in-store shopping reigns despite global e-commerce shift
By Christine Susan Shine
KUWAIT: Despite the global shift toward online shopping, people in Kuwait remain firmly loyal to in-store experiences. According to a 2024 Ipsos report, Spotlight Kuwait: Online Shopper Behavior and Attitudes, 86 percent of Kuwait’s population still prefers to shop in physical stores, making it one of the few markets globally where traditional retail continues to dominate.
In the US, for example, online shopping continues to gain ground over traditional retail, with the overall retail sector projected to contract by 0.2 percent over the next decade. During the 2024 holiday season, 76 percent of American shoppers were planning to buy at least half of their gifts online, according to a CNBC article.
On the other hand, the Ipsos poll found that only 14 percent of Kuwait’s population favors online shopping. Analysts attribute this trend to a mix of cultural habits, convenience, and a lack of trust in online platforms — factors that have shaped a uniquely Kuwaiti approach to retail.
The poll surveyed 500 people across the country, with a sample representative of the population across gender, age (18+), nationality and socioeconomic status. According to Aftab Ellahi, Chief Client Officer at Ipsos Kuwait, mistrust is a big reason people avoid online shopping. “With so many phishing scams and shady websites, people, especially expats — just feel safer paying in-store,” he says.
Kuwait’s small size and conveniently located shopping areas are another factor, a sales official in one of Kuwait’s largest retail companies tells Kuwait Times. “It’s actually easier to get around here than in most big cities,” says an expert in the market. “Traffic’s manageable, everything’s close, and shopping feels like a mini outing.”
Walk into any mall on a weekend and you’ll feel it, the energy of a community that loves to shop, not just for products, but for the experience. In Kuwait, malls are more than shopping centers — they’re weekend spots. With limited entertainment venues, heading to a mall has become a leisure activity. For many, shopping is a social ritual where families meet, and friends catch up.
Fatima, who didn’t give her last name, says no app can replicate the joy of stumbling upon the perfect outfit or bargaining your way to a sweet deal. “We love to touch, try, and explore the products before buying,” explains Fatima, a long-time shopper. “Online images can be misleading. What looks great on screen might not suit us in person.”
Some shoppers like Gabriel, a 29-year-old who didn’t give his last name, gets the best of both worlds: “I order groceries online — it’s fast. But for shoes? I need to try them on. No exceptions.”
Only 14 percent of people surveyed say they prefer online shopping. Even for everyday tasks like bill payments and travel bookings, Kuwait’s population is slower to go digital: 37 percent pay their telecom bills online, while 27 percent use the internet to book their travel.
Surprisingly, this love for physical shopping spans generations. According to Ipsos, two thirds of those aged 45+, and those between 25-44 still enjoy going to stores. Even Gen Z isn’t fully digital — 43 percent of shoppers aged 18–24 say they’d rather try before they buy.
While much of the world settled into a digital-first life after COVID-19, Kuwait swung back to its roots. “People missed the human part of shopping,” says Ellahi. “They want to feel fabrics, smell perfumes, try on clothes — that emotional satisfaction is irreplaceable.”
This shift doesn’t reflect a rejection of digital convenience, but rather a preference for balance. A blend of online accessibility and in-person experiences is shaping Kuwait’s retail landscape, where shopping remains as much a cultural and social activity as a commercial one.
KUWAIT: Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the Public Authority for Industry (PAI) Khalifa Al-Ajeel said on Monday that protecting the commercial and industrial system is a “national responsibility that requires concerted efforts.”
Minister Al-Ajeel emphasized in a statement to KUNA following an extensive inspection campaign in the south Amghara scrap yard, to “firmly deal with all violations and encroachments in accordance with legal frameworks where no one is above the law.”
Al-Ajeel confirmed the continuation of inspection campaigns as well until the desired goals are reached, foremost being is restoring order and discipline to the area and removing all violations and encroachments.
He affirmed the ministry and the PAI’s commitment to cooperating with relevant authorities to continue these campaigns to ensure a safe and organized industrial and commercial environment.
The campaign resulted in the seizure of several violations and closure of several non-compliant units in preparation for taking necessary legal action against their exploiters.
Participating in the campaign was General Fire Force (KFF) Chief Major General Talal Al-Roumi, along with several executive leaders from the PAI. — KUNA
CAIRO: The 56th regular session of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights commenced on Monday with the participation of Kuwait and representatives from Arab states concerned with human rights affairs. In his opening address, Ahmed Maghari, supervisor of the Human Rights Department at the League of Arab States, underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling it a stark indicator of the region’s human rights reality. “We cannot speak of the state of human rights without acknowledging the catastrophic conditions faced by our brothers in Gaza, where securing the most basic necessities has become a matter of survival,” he said. Maghari described the ongoing Zionist aggression in Gaza as a profound moral and humanitarian challenge, noting that the Palestinian people continue to endure daily suffering under constant bombardment, displacement and destruction. He lamented the international community’s continued inaction in the face of clear violations of international law and human rights norms. “The occupying power persists in defying international legitimacy and the decisions of the General Assembly, the Security Council, and the International Court of Justice,” he said.
Held at a time of mounting regional tensions, the session comes amid escalating challenges that directly affect fundamental human rights. Maghari highlighted the Committee’s historic role since its establishment in 1968 in developing the Arab human rights framework both legally and practically, while also fostering cooperation with regional and international partners. He expressed hope that the session would yield effective recommendations to help confront the pressing challenges in the region. He pointed to the rise of conflicts and violence globally, along with the resulting serious human rights violations, as major concerns.
Emerging issues such as the intersection of human rights with climate change, artificial intelligence, and the spread of alien ideologies that undermine human dignity were also noted. “In light of these challenges, we must reinforce our solidarity and collective action to enhance peace, stability, and the security of our societies,” Maghari added. The two-day session, chaired by Ambassador Talal Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Arab Permanent Committee for Human Rights, will review the General Secretariat’s report on the implementation of previous recommendations up to the 55th session.
Discussions will also focus on Zionist violations in occupied Arab territories, the plight of Arab prisoners and detainees in Zionist prisons, and the issue of the bodies of Palestinian and Arab martyrs held in so-called “numbered cemeteries.” Other agenda items include the Arab Charter on Human Rights and preparations for Arab Human Rights Day, which will be observed on March 16, 2026. Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah.— KUNA
Latest News3 hours ago
Kuwait Commerce Min.: Protecting industrial system is Nat’l responsibility
Latest News5 hours ago
Human Rights Committee session begins with focus on Gaza, regional challenges
Business6 hours ago
World markets mixed, Japan’s shares dip after election leaves Ishiba’s future in doubt
-
Latest News19 hours agoArmy Chief highlights importance of National Security Network project
-
Business17 hours agoMEW gets CAPT approval to link external sites, NDCC
-
Politics17 hours agoDomestic Worker in Critical Condition After Reported Suicide Attempt
-
Latest News18 hours agoPM receives Indian Ambassador | Kuwait Times Newspaper
-
Politics15 hours agoCops Catch Fleeing Suspect With Narcotics, Booze, And Big Cash
-
Latest News17 hours agoThe hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait
-
Politics16 hours agoEgyptian Stole Half a Million… Then Opened a Beauty Clinic — Now He’s in Kuwait Jail
-
Latest News20 hours agoDeputy PM, Armenian envoy discuss security cooperation