Why an Indian woman in Dubai prefers shopping back home.

Everyday essentials found cheaper in India.

Dubai is often celebrated as a global shopping hub, offering luxury brands and international products at competitive prices. Yet, for many expatriates, certain everyday essentials remain costly or difficult to source. This reality was recently highlighted by Kanupriya Mehendiratta, an Indian resident of Dubai, who shared her shopping experience on Instagram after returning from a short trip to India.

Kanupriya explained that she carried back a haul of items she found more affordable in India. Among the first on her list were H&M clothes, which she claimed cost nearly half as much as at Dubai Mall. She showcased a co-ord set bought in India for ₹2,000, noting that similar outfits cost much more in Dubai.

Another essential she stocked up on was desi ghee. According to her, finding a reliable brand in Dubai was challenging, so she preferred to bring it directly from India. Water filters also made it into her luggage, as she found them “very expensive” in Dubai. By ordering from Amazon India, she said she paid only a fraction of the local price.

Her haul further included Indian spices, which are imported into Dubai anyway. “If they come from India, why not buy them directly there?” she remarked. Alongside these, she packed skincare and makeup products, describing them as the heaviest part of her luggage. Items such as hair serum and body wash were among her essentials. She also carried protein powder from The Whole Truth, explaining that it was gentler on her sensitive gut compared to alternatives available in Dubai.

Mixed Reactions Online

The video quickly drew attention online, sparking debate among viewers. Some users challenged her claims, arguing that Dubai offers superior quality products, particularly in categories like skincare, spices, and ghee. They suggested that export-quality goods available in Dubai often surpass what is sold locally in India. Others felt she hadn’t discovered the right shopping spots in Dubai yet.

On the other hand, many related to her approach, admitting they too compare prices across countries. One user commented that these choices weren’t about being stingy but about being smart with money.

A Common Expat Practice

Kanupriya’s experience reflects a broader reality for expatriates: while Dubai excels in luxury shopping, many still prefer sourcing everyday essentials from their home country. For her, India remains the go-to destination for affordable, familiar, and trusted products.