In recent years, shopping in the UAE has undergone a radical transformation. The convenience of e-commerce, coupled with the desire for better financial control, has sparked a surge in new-age payment options. At the forefront of this shift is Tabby, a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform that has quietly revolutionized how consumers shop both online and in-store.

In this article, we’ll explore how installment shopping is reshaping retail behavior in the UAE, how Tabby is solving key consumer pain points, and how shoppers can now combine Tabby with exclusive coupons from GC Coupons to maximize savings like never before.

Why Installment Shopping Is Booming in the UAE

The idea of paying for purchases in monthly installments isn’t new. However, traditional installment systems often required credit cards, lengthy approvals, or incurred interest. BNPL platforms like Tabby have flipped the model.

Instead of requiring credit checks or charging interest, Tabby lets users:

  • Split payments into 4 monthly installments

  • Pay no interest or hidden fees

  • Access flexible payments without a credit card

This shift has especially appealed to younger generations and expatriates, who value control over their finances without tying themselves to debt. Installment shopping is no longer just a fallback—it’s a preferred method of purchase.

Pain Points Tabby Has Solved for UAE Shoppers

1. High Upfront Costs

Before Tabby, big-ticket purchases such as electronics, fashion hauls, or luxury goods required heavy upfront payments. Tabby changes that by letting you split those costs into manageable monthly payments, easing budget pressure without delaying gratification.

2. Limited Access to Credit

Not everyone in the UAE has access to credit cards—especially young professionals, freelancers, or expats new to the country. Tabby fills this gap with instant approvals using just a mobile number, allowing broader financial access without complicated banking requirements.

3. Shopping Hesitation

The pressure of making a full payment at once often leads shoppers to abandon carts or delay purchases. With Tabby, users can commit to the purchase while feeling more financially comfortable, reducing friction in the decision-making process.

4. Lack of Flexibility In-Store

Installment payments were once limited to online transactions. Tabby’s virtual Visa card now enables customers to pay in installments at physical retail stores across the UAE, giving them the same flexibility offline.

5. Complex Terms and Hidden Charges

Traditional credit systems can have unclear terms, interest rates, or penalties. Tabby has earned trust by offering a simple, transparent structure with no interest and no fees, provided payments are made on time.

How Fast Has Tabby Grown?

Tabby’s growth in the region has been remarkable. In just a few years, it has gone from a niche payment option to one of the most dominant fintech players in the Middle East.

Some key milestones include:

  • A user base that has grown to millions across the GCC, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

  • A vast merchant network of tens of thousands of partners, from international giants to local retailers.

  • Rapid transaction volume increases, with Tabby becoming the default payment method for online shopping in many categories.

  • Strong brand recognition and mobile app adoption across app stores.

Tabby isn’t just a payment solution anymore—it’s become an embedded part of the modern shopper’s journey.

Where Can You Use Tabby in the UAE?

Tabby works both online and in-store, making it one of the most flexible BNPL solutions in the UAE.

Online Retailers

Tabby is integrated at checkout with hundreds of top UAE websites. You’ll often see the “Pay with Tabby” option during checkout at:

  • Noon

  • Amazon.ae

  • SHEIN

  • H&M UAE

  • Adidas UAE

  • IKEA UAE

  • Mumzworld

  • Bath & Body Works

  • Sephora

  • Max Fashion

  • Centrepoint

  • 6th Street

  • Level Shoes

  • Reebok

  • Puma

  • Dyson

  • Styli

  • Namshi

All these platforms let you split your bill into four equal payments, interest-free, at checkout.

In-Store Shopping

Tabby’s virtual Visa card enables you to shop at physical stores and still use Tabby as your payment method. You can activate this card in the Tabby app and use it at Visa-accepting terminals across malls and retail stores in the UAE.

Whether you’re buying sneakers at a mall or a smartwatch at an electronics outlet, Tabby ensures flexibility isn’t limited to online purchases.

Use Case Examples

Fashion Shopping

Let’s say you’re buying a 600 AED outfit from 6th Street. With a coupon from GC Coupons, you might reduce your total to 540 AED. Then, using Tabby, you pay just 135 AED upfront and spread the rest over three months.

Electronics Purchase

Need a 1200 AED device from Noon? Use a GC Coupons exclusive Noon promo code to save 100 AED. That brings your cost to 1100 AED, and with Tabby, you pay only 275 AED now.

Gifts or Seasonal Shopping

For big gift shopping from Sephora, LEGO, BEAUTY BAY, or IKEA, you can stack:

  • The retailer’s in-season discounts

  • A working coupon from GC Coupons

  • Tabby payment option to split the final amount

This triple-layer savings strategy is becoming a go-to among savvy shoppers in the UAE.

How Tabby Works (Step-by-Step)

  1. Shop online or in-store at a Tabby-supported merchant

  2. Choose Tabby at checkout

  3. Create an account or log in using your mobile number

  4. Split your payment into 4 monthly installments

  5. Pay the first installment instantly, and the rest will be auto-debited monthly

It’s fast, transparent, and completely interest-free.

Read: Guide to Sales in the UAE

Read: How to avail free delivery in the UAE? 

Read: Which Retailers offer Price Matching in the UAE?

Tabby vs Tamara: The BNPL Showdown

While Tabby is a major player, it isn’t alone. Tamara is another fast-growing BNPL platform that operates in similar markets, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Here’s how the two compare:

1. Reach and Brand Awareness

Tabby leads in terms of user base and merchant partnerships in the UAE, while Tamara has a stronger presence in Saudi Arabia. However, both platforms are expanding quickly across the GCC.

2. App Features

Tamara offers similar BNPL functionality but with a slightly different user interface. Both platforms offer mobile apps, virtual cards, and merchant integrations.

3. Business Models

Tamara is known to focus more on small business merchants in addition to larger retail partners, while Tabby has positioned itself as a more integrated super app for shopping.

4. Payment Experience

Both platforms offer a smooth payment experience, although users often report Tabby’s checkout process to be more widely supported among leading UAE brands.

Why Tabby Is Seen as the Future of Shopping

Tabby’s appeal lies in the simplicity and accessibility of its product. Its success can be attributed to four major factors:

1. User-Centric Experience

The app is intuitive, fast, and focused entirely on user convenience. Whether it’s approval, payment tracking, or using the Tabby Card in-store, the experience is smooth from end to end.

2. Interest-Free Model

Shoppers appreciate that there’s no interest or hidden fees as long as payments are on time. This makes Tabby a better alternative to credit cards and traditional financing.

3. Broad Merchant Network

With a wide list of retailers already onboard, Tabby is deeply embedded in both online and offline commerce in the UAE.

4. Adaptability and Innovation

Tabby is constantly evolving. Features like digital wallets, Visa cards, and smart budgeting tools are only adding to the appeal. In many ways, Tabby is becoming more than a BNPL platform—it’s transforming into a comprehensive financial lifestyle tool.

Combine Tabby + GC Coupons: Maximize Your Savings

Here’s the best part: shoppers can use Tabby and apply a GC Coupons code at the same time.

Let’s say you’re buying sneakers from Puma:

  • Find a verified coupon on GC Coupons for an extra discount

  • Apply it at checkout and reduce the cart total

  • Then select Tabby to split the final discounted price over 4 months

That’s a discount on top of a flexible payment—perfect for savvy shoppers who want to save more and spend smarter.

And this approach isn’t limited to one or two brands. GC Coupons has exclusive, working coupons for over 400 UAE retailers, many of which support Tabby as a payment method.

Final Thoughts: Tabby Has Changed the Game

Tabby has not only made installment shopping accessible—it’s changed the culture of retail in the UAE. With broad adoption, seamless user experience, and flexibility across online and offline platforms, it’s no surprise that more and more shoppers are switching to Tabby.

While other platforms like Tamara are strong alternatives, Tabby’s reach, innovation, and scale position it as the leader in the UAE’s BNPL landscape.

And when combined with GC Coupons’ exclusive coupon codes, the value only grows. Shoppers now have the freedom to pay less upfront, save more instantly, and plan purchases without pressure.