scrubbedexpat141

Don't be silly, DXBtoDOH goes on holiday, that helps the teeth recover.

You should try it sometime.

DXBtoDOH

My teeth are perfectly fine. Better than many a coffee drinker's.

scrubbedexpat141

There he is, returns with a slicing backhanded insult across the board.

mission

i don't drink tea or coffee so don't have to worry about those horrible brown stains that most people get.
But mate, drinking a can a day of diet coke, that will be eating away at the enamel on our teeth

Millhouse

Indeed. It's already completely eroded away the personality

DXBtoDOH

I already work for an engineering firm. What were you expecting?

DXBtoDOH

Better worry about the teeth enamel than the condition of the liver.

mission

liver condition is internal....if your teeth are in bad shape it is there for all and sundry to see...

jam25mack

Ahhh you know me so well. I bleed blue.

TheShed

Livers can rebuild themselves, to a point, teeth cannot. :-). Drink less coke and more beer.

scrubbedexpat141

I've noticed the 'I've got an offer for Dubai is it worth it' threads have slowed considerably.

Just summer or are people hiring less here?
We're still busy and still hiring but local hires have dropped in line with my question, but that's until we secure another project, then all hell breaks loose.

Millhouse

From what I know, consumer type businesses are largely flat.

The data I have suggests that total amounts spent appear to be the same year on year, but the average basket sizes have reduced. i.e, a shift from a few high value goods to more lower ones. This means that the heavy discounting seen in the shops has successfully been able to hold up turnover numbers, but would have taken a toll on profits.

The only growth sector I'm actually aware of in the consumer space is... payments to the government

There is also consolidation in the retail sector, MAF are on a hunting spree and have bought up several brands recently - better to own the brand to keep it alive in the mall than an empty unit.

As for jobs... well, it doesn't feel like an hiring environment although all the economy trackers released by ENBD suggest otherwise. My touch point is really with retail/consumer. Have no idea about construction etc. Finance is quiet although I've seen some new funds being launched (most will not be focused on MENA though, more likely India/Africa).

scrubbedexpat141

Interesting. Thanks.


There is consolidation in construction. Some of the developers are merging...but mainly the government backed ones. The 'private' like Emaar seem to succeed because they're totally commercially focused and act that way, know their markets and deliver.

Contractors seem to be struggling hugely, lots exiting because risk isn't worth the shit margins....


I was surprised to get an email from Ford a few weeks ago with a load of great deals, servicing / warranty / insurance etc so soon after Ramadan. OR maybe just normal end periodic sale.

Millhouse

I've noticed this with Toyota as well. I recently bought a service package (3 services inc. major) for less than the cost of the normal major service. They seem to be suffering too.

Am going car shopping this weekend, am hopeful.

I don't trust the ENBD economy trackers at all, but they are all available online and make interesting reading. I also follow capital economics (more accurate) - they are suggesting -1% GDP growth in Saudi for the year, but small positive growth in the UAE (all in the non-oil sector). Logistics is doing well.

http://www.emiratesnbdresearch.com/p...Jul2017(1).pdf

scrubbedexpat141

I'm interested in a few cars at the moment but I can't bring myself to visit showrooms to find out any rough prices.

Take Dodge for example. I've emailed asking for rough price range for a the Durango because they look sick.
Nobody will tell me. Have to book an appointment. Don't want to do that. Don't want to waste my time or theirs if it's way out of budget etc.

Thanks for the link