More than eight in 10 businesses are likely to increase their online presence in the future, and nearly half of them are looking to have their own e-commerce website or app
online business
Latest in online business
AB In Focus
AB Talks: Entrepreneurs must “look to build more internet-businesses,” says Nas Daily’s Nuseir Yassin
The Founder and CEO of Nas Daily and Nas Academy, Nuseir Yassin, talks to Arabian Business about the future of the education industry, the need for constant upskilling, and the need to leverage internet-based business opportunities
Dawrati
“Don’t let naysayers and doubters get the better of you; never take no for an answer”: Dawrati CEO Sarah Refai
Canadian-Lebanese serial entrepreneur and founder of Coconut-media Inc and Dawrati Online shares how she has overcome gender bias challenges, and offers support and advice to others combating stereotypes in the industry
Arab working mothers
Inside the start-up providing content for working Arab mothers
Ummahat has 50,000 users subscribed to its platform, offers expert Arabic content on everything from child rearing to lifestyle trends
Alibaba Cloud
Middle East offers ‘exciting’ opportunities for e-commerce, says Alibaba senior exec
We spoke to Alibaba Cloud Intelligence’s GM for MEA, Phillip Liu, to find out about the ongoing evolution of the regional e-commerce space
digital economy
Now is the time for businesses to double down on the internet economy
There are currently more than 9.7 million active internet users in the UAE out of a total population of 9.83 million, making the UAE the number one country worldwide with the highest global internet penetration at 99 percent, up from just 78 percent a decade ago
cash on delivery
How Covid-19 drove UAE’s retail e-commerce market to reach $3.9bn record value
The pandemic-driven digital shift led to a 53 percent market increase with growth forecast at $8bn by 2025
ADQ
Abu Dhabi’s ADQ in talks to invest $500m in Indian e-commerce firm
Injection of funds would value Walmart-backed Flipkart at as much as $40bn
consumer habits
The challenge of returns in e-commerce
One of the biggest challenges e-commerce businesses worldwide face is lowering product return rate as the cost of handling returns is typically three to five times higher than original shipping costs
digital payment service
Online payment giant Stripe’s entrance to UAE will ‘propel forward the fintech sector’
The tech company operates in over 40 countries, primarily in Europe, and is valued at $95 billion
Barbershops
Dubai-based entrepreneur mixing tradition with technology in start-up launches
Bilal Kabbani has co-founded a traditional barbershop on one hand and a direct-to-consumer e-commerce underwear brand on the other
digital payment service
Online payment solution Stripe makes its way to Dubai
Stripe’s market entry – supported via a partnership with Network International – will provide UAE-based businesses with the infrastructure they need to better connect with users around the world and trade internationally
Dresos
Dubai-based start-up Dresos fashioning a profitable future
The styling service launched in Dubai in December, with plans to cover the GCC by 2025
E-commerce
How e-commerce in Saudi Arabia grew substantially during coronavirus
Despite its growth online shopping will not replace the Kingdom’s bricks and mortars stores, said industry expert
E-commerce
Can online retailers make 2021 another blockbuster year?
Sandeep Ganediwalla says e-tailers will have to up their game in 2021 to replicate the kind of growth they saw last year
boutique
Video: How are e-tailers in the Middle East using human stories to drive sales?
The Middle East and North Africa e-commerce market was worth $8.3 billion in 2017, according to a Bain and Company report.
business activities
Video: How are UAE’s digital businesses adapting to the new normal?
From contact-less and cashless deliveries to online live concerts to socially responsible operations – the leading internet businesses in the region have adapted to the new normal and changed their business models.