talabat, the leading on-demand online ordering and delivery platform in the MENA region, today announced a record-breaking day for its Grocery & Retail business, with talabat mart – its online grocery service – reaching an all-time high on the first day of Ramadan.
Compared to the previous Tuesday, talabat mart saw:
- +21% increase in total orders week-on-week
- +3% growth in average basket size
- Peak order volume recorded between 2 pm – 5 pm, reflecting last-minute Iftar preparations
The surge reflects clear shifts in shopping behavior during Ramadan, with customers increasingly turning to on-demand grocery delivery for convenience, time savings, and last-minute Iftar preparations.
Standout Categories
Early data highlights strong demand across key Ramadan staples, including:
- Fresh produce
- Dairy & laban
- Ready-to-cook meal ingredients
- Dates & Traditional Sweets
- Beverages & juices
Reflecting these trends, the top five most sold items during the first six days of Ramadan were Banana Chiquita, Mai Dubai Drinking Water, Cucumber GCC, Tomatos – UAE, and Al Ain Mineral Drinking Water. Multiple top-selling items saw a high week-on-week growth, reflecting accelerated purchasing patterns during Ramadan.
“Ramadan reshapes daily routines, and we see that immediately in customer behavior,” said Alix De Zelicourt, GM talabat mart. “What we’re seeing is not just seasonal demand, but a structural reliance on quick commerce as households prioritize convenience, speed, and flexibility during peak preparation hours.”
A Structural Shift
The data reinforces the growing role of quick commerce during high-demand seasonal moments. As households balance preparation, family gatherings, and work schedules, convenience and speed become critical drivers.
With Ramadan only beginning, talabat mart expects sustained elevated demand across Grocery & Retail in the coming weeks of Ramadan, traditionally the highest-grocery-consumption period of the season.
