Aref Yehia, Head of Business Partnerships for Retail & E-Commerce, Global Business Solutions, MENA – TikTok sat down with Arabian Business to discuss how the retail industry needs to put communities at the heart of best practice
retail trends
cashless payment
E-commerce spend rate in UAE surges post-pandemic; posts twice that of POS spend in Jan-March
According to the latest Network International report, the rise in online spending – both debit card and credit card transactions – was led by digital payments in the government sector, followed by restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores
Big City Centre Vote
What do customers visiting malls in the region want above all else?
A Majid Al Futtaim survey has received feedback from,10,000 customers to determine their preferences and desires within malls, which are driving the top retail trends of 2022
B2B
Is this new secret to success helping entrepreneurs reach record profit margins: The B2B2C model
Tradeling, a hyper-growing e-marketplace focused on B2B transactions in the MENA region, has recorded exceptional revenue growth of more than 35 percent month-on-month, with a product selection reaching close to one million
Brands
Five steps to establish your enterprise as a customer experience leader
The link between customer experience (CX) and business performance is tangible, with CX leaders demonstrating revenue growth that is five times faster than their underperforming competitors
brand loyalty
GCC consumers express strong brand loyalty, but can be wooed with better quality products: report
For brands to create and communicate an attractive value proposition, it is necessary that the perceived value – in this case quality – of the offering exceeds the value of the price that the customer is paying, an expert said
Brand engagement
Engaging with tech-savvy millennials across digital touchpoints will define the future of consumer brands
Internet penetration in the UAE is expected to reach 96 percent by 2025, with 67 percent of Middle East consumers choosing digital channels to engage with brands
AB In Focus
AB Talks: How the retail landscape is set to transform in the post-pandemic world
Reducing friction for customers, enhancing brand presence and improving the shopping experience are key to the future of retail, Kapil Sethi, group deputy CEO, GMG, tells Arabian Business
brick and mortar business
Predictions for 2022: 6 key consumer trends in the UAE
Consumers have assimilated to the “new normal” and businesses, particularly retailers, in the UAE are adapting to evolving circumstances through flexible operating models that are shaping future trends
consumer behaviour
Revealed: Why Ramadan is back and booming after beating the pandemic
In-store shopping, family iftars, and travel over Eid are back as coronavirus restrictions ease, despite inflation altering consumer habits
digital business
Repurposing technology in retail to deliver personalised shopping experiences
Enabled by mobile digital tools, retailers are offering more bespoke, localised and service-based experiences
Amazon
How a “phygital” approach will help retailers stand out
As online platforms became the channel of choice for the retail sector in 2020 and 2021, can we afford to overlook the physical retail landscape?
consumer habits
One in two UAE consumers to spend more on cross-border purchases during Ramadan: Facebook IQ report
Research by Meta, formerly Facebook, indicates that approximately 64 percent of UAE shoppers are likely to try new brands as they make international purchases during the Holy month of Ramadan and Eid
consumer habits
Why localisation matters to Yoox Net-A-Porter Group
The platform will feature a 30 percent increase in the number of exclusive designs in this year’s Ramadan edit versus last year
consumer trends
Three in four UAE consumers typically purchase online; e-commerce market value jumps to $5 billion in 2021
Proactive government policies, trust in online payments, and advanced telecommunication infrastructure have contributed to the e-commerce growth in the UAE, according to a report launched by EZDubai in partnership with Euromonitor International
E-commerce
Haute pursuit. Why Instagram is a rising force in retail
In 2020 alone, over two billion people purchased goods or services online and in 2022 that number is only going to rise, says Ruwaida Abela, managing partner, head of PR and communications, JRN Consultancy
retail industry
Why malls are the perfect catalyst for community building
Malls are evolving to perform multiple roles as they act as showrooms, fulfilment centres, and locations that provide brand interaction, as well as a place to purchase