Coronavirus has caused the unforeseen push & gave an accelerated, new lease of life to the sector. So, are you ready with your pandemic shopping list? Now, even the Global markets have realized the significance of online shopping from top UAE websites. The GCC’s e-commerce sector (Gulf Cooperation Council) is expected to more than double to $50 billion within 5 years. This is a major boost-up from $24 billion this year. Wondering why? It is because the pandemic-associated movement limitations have resulted in buying habits’ shift in UAE, as per the latest reports. Also, there has been a major change in their shopping list for pandemic which primarily include sanitizers, masks, and gloves.
- It is due to a quick change in customer behavior, hugely spurred through the new normal of movement restrictions.
- Besides, decreased capacity in the physical stores and social distancing has played a major role.
- The average percentage of those goods which the GCC household bought online rose from 2% (2015) – 8% (2020).
- According to the latest survey, 36% of the UAE SMEs have invested to prepare for the online future.
- However, just 4% are planning on selling online in the future.
- Those who have invested have weathered this storm & are well-positioned for leading in the post-Covid retail revival.
- In terms of pandemic shopping, those who didn’t make the required investments and changes will get sidelined.
- If the business owner wants to survive in the market, then they should adapt to the “new online normal”.
Every stakeholder must take note of & revisit their policies, strategies, and operating models. This way, they will be able to develop e-commerce operations. As per a recent survey, over 90% of the customers in Saudi Arabia and UAE have shifted the purchases online. Due to the increasing fame of online shopping UAE, retail outlets are under immense pressure for expanding the online presence. That is the major reason why e-commerce players need to step up their game.
- The E-commerce industry in the MENA (the Middle East & North Africa) region is viewing the major transformation in customer behavior.
- This is what the studies suggest on account of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease) pandemic.
- The closure of shopping malls as a part of the lockdown is imposed for curbing the virus’s spread since March.
- These restrictions are now eventually being lifted to different degrees throughout the region.
- That is why the retailers are supposed to boost shopping online so that their market existence remains intact.
- A survey conducted in May’s 1st week reported that 92% of the customers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE had altered their buying habits.
- Besides, 52% had termed this change as “significant”.
- Another 38% of the customers stated that they were uncomfortable visiting the mall.
Also, 33% mentioned that they felt painful going to the grocery store.
Now that COVID-19 has become a massive issue, many online shopping sites in UAE are emerging such as –
- Noon
- Amazon
- Awok
- Shein
- Namshi
- Carrefour UAE
- Kibsons
- Desertcart
- AliBaba
- Ubuy
People’s reluctance in shopping physically signifies that several customers are choosing e-commerce for their buying needs. Movement restrictions along with public spaces’ closing also dramatically decreased footfall for various brick-&-mortar retailers. Don’t have the supporting web presence? Well, it means revenue and sales come to the standstill during these times or are relevantly impacted. Moreover, online buying will possibly continue during the conventionally hectic period, despite the restrictions easing down.
- Picking one of the best online shopping portals in UAE ensures that you get a seamless and “contactless” buying experience. After all, it is the need of the hour, right?
- For businesses, it is important to know about the latest online buying trends.
- Social media campaigns are among the cheapest and fastest ways of spreading their exposure.
- Besides, it also helps them in increasing their visibility on the web.
- Always remember that the more followers, the greater the feedback businesses attain.
- As of now, Facebook is the predominant force here.
- Talking about online shopping trends in UAE, a huge percentage of online buyers in the Middle East are utilizing cross-border products.
- Wondering the role of the latest developments in gateway security & credible shipping tactics? They have greatly impacted several purchaser groups for buying items from other regions.
As per the current statistics, 49% of the purchasers from the Middle East prefer purchasing cross-border items. It is because of the free shipping advantage. The beefed-up safety on the payment methods has motivated 49% of the purchasers. However, 39% of buyers do cross-border purchases because of certain products’ unavailability. So, if you are confused about how to shop for a pandemic, make sure to choose the right online portal. This way, you will be provided with a safe, secure, and hassle-free buying experience. Furthermore, the rise in the UAE’s e-commerce market during this pandemic has been “exponential”.
- The online grocery orders on the platform of Carrefour in Saudi Arabia have witnessed an 800% jump.
- There is no denying the fact that this pandemic crisis has “modified the landscape of e-commerce.”
- Do you own a company without e-commerce abilities or the means for developing & activating their web presence? Well, then you will, for sure, bear the brunt of this region’s quick shift to online shopping during pandemic.
- COVID-19 is pushing conventional retail outlets for expanding their web presence.
- Also, it is re-energizing the predominant web platforms for stepping up the supply of the in-demand vital items.
- Thanks to GCC’s connectivity, a lot of inconveniences have been mitigated a lot for the UAE.
Also, the online grocery shopping trend is going to stay for a long time. This major shift is forcing companies to review their strategies and priorities for staying in the running. Nonetheless, it is safe to presume that Coronavirus has irreversibly modified the way companies function, hopefully for the better.
