The sector is expected to see players increasingly shifting their business models to embrace multi-verticality
online retail
Latest in online retail
E-commerce
Dubai-based dropshipping service firm 4Partners secures $3.6mn in latest funding round
4Partners aims to tap into the $50 billion MENA e-commerce market and offer a CES and international dropshipping solution for online stores
China
China online retail spending hits $2.17tn last year, more than a quarter of global total
China announces 11 per cent surge in online retail spending to top world charts
Black Friday
UAE Black Friday 2023: Sinister cybercriminals target shoppers, consumers need to be vigiliant, experts warn
Black Friday sales in the UAE will go live on November 24, 2023
Dubai Shopping Festival
Turning browsing into buying
How can Shoppertainment accelerate shopping discovery during mega sales
dubai chamber of commerce
Noon advises Dubai SMEs on the value of online sales
Dubai Chambers teams up with Noon to support SMEs
consumer behaviour
Global e-commerce expected to hit $8.5 trillion by 2026: Report
The report by the Florida-based FIS showed the Middle East and Africa clocked the highest growth of 21% from 2021-2022
online marketplace
Revealed: MENA leads online marketplace orders globally with over $25bn in 2022
Fashion category led the spike in online sales in the region last year, followed by electronics and household goods
grocery delivery
Saudi delivery start-up Nana raises $133m in record funding round, eyes $165bn market
Saudi start-up Nana plans grocery expansion across the Kingdom
digital commerce
How the growth in e-commerce is shifting India’s economy
As ‘Digital India’ takes over the nation, the e-commerce sector is expected to face a rise of up to $170bn by 2070
acquisitions
Accolades continue to pile for Michael Rubin…the hottest name in sports industry
The Fanatics founder, named Businessperson of the Year by The Athletic, has been on a roll as company valuation grows to $31 billion from $4.5 billion in just three years
consumer behaviour
MENA region sees 91% population make online purchases in 2022: Report
Fashion and clothing make up almost half of the online purchases across the region
Amazon
LuLu, Amazon announce major new online grocery store in UAE
Customers in the UAE will now be able to buy daily essentials and other grocery items from LuLu via Amazon
Black Friday
Black Friday: The dark history behind the world’s biggest shopping season
The term ‘Black Friday’ went through constant evolution of meaning, before it became known as a day of shopping for discounted rates
brick and mortar business
Polish marketing tech firm Nanovo forays into Middle East, sets up regional hub in UAE
The company has also announced a collaboration deal with popular online retailer 6thStreet.com to launch their first brick and mortar store
Carrefour
Revealed: Customers can avail up to 60% discounts on Carrefour’s online products from 20-26 June
Discounts will be applicable for consumers through the retailer’s e-commerce website and mobile app
Cross-border shopping
How can your business drive discovery and growth across borders?
An in-depth look into the different factors – including availability, price, and quality – motivating people to buy products from foreign markets rather than local markets