UAE's e-commerce market is expected to exceed Dh50.6 billion by 2029
The UAE's e-commerce market is projected to surpass Dh50.6 billion ($13.8 billion) by 2029, a report showed on Wednesday.
According to the 'E-Commerce Report in the Mena Region 2024, created by EZDubai, the fully dedicated e-commerce zone in Dubai South, in collaboration with Euromonitor International, the world's leading provider for global business intelligence, the UAE's e-commerce market reached Dh32.3 billion ($8.8 billion) in 2024.
The UAE's e-commerce sector continues to expand, driven by a tech-savvy, youthful population with a strong preference for online shopping, alongside advanced infrastructure, widespread internet access, and efficient delivery services. In 2024, the top three product categories by value were apparel and footwear, consumer electronics, and home care.
According to Euromonitor's Digital Consumer Survey, credit and debit cards remain the most used payment method in the UAE. However, digital wallet usage has grown significantly, from 41 per cent in 2020 to 53 per cent in 2024. Additionally, alternative payment options such as Buy Now, Pay Later are gaining popularity, increasing both conversion rates and average basket values—highlighting consumer confidence in flexible payment solutions.
Free delivery and free returns are powerful drivers of e-commerce in the UAE, with retailers strategically balancing these offerings to enhance customer satisfaction while carefully managing logistics to minimise their impact on profitability.
Regionally, the Middle East and North Africa's (Mena) e-commerce market reached Dh126.7 billion ($34.5 billion) in 2024, recording a 13 per cent year-on-year growth. This surge was fuelled by the rise of mobile commerce and cross-border transactions. By 2029, the market is expected to reach Dh212.2 billion ($57.8 billion). Growth across the region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is supported by infrastructure investments, government-backed digital initiatives, and a highly connected consumer base.
Food, beverages, and home care products saw significant growth between 2019 and 2024, a trend expected to extend to other categories. The expansion of cross-border e-commerce in Mena is also being driven by increasing demand for international products, improved logistics and payment platforms, and more efficient customs processes.
Mohsen Ahmad, CEO of Logistics District, Dubai South said: 'The e-commerce sector in the UAE is evolving rapidly, and EZDubai is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation. By offering world-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity, we are enabling global and regional players to thrive and scale. This growth is also being fueled by the UAE government's forward-thinking policies, smart regulations, and sustained investments in digital transformation, logistics, and infrastructure. As a result, the UAE is not only reinforcing its position as a leading e-commerce hub in the Mena region, but also emerging as a competitive global player shaping the future of digital commerce.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
25 minutes ago
- Zawya
SRTI Park teams up With Doctory to launch smart medical bag 'Masand' to support Hajj pilgrims
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates – In a step that reflects Sharjah's commitment to transforming innovative ideas into real-world solutions, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park) has announced the successful design and production of the smart medical bag 'Masand' for Doctory, a leading health-tech company, within the state-of-the-art Sharjah Open Innovation Lab (SoiLAB). This project highlights how SRTI Park's laboratories have become an advanced platform for testing innovative medical products in partnership with the private sector, especially during the Hajj season, which presents an ideal opportunity to apply these practical solutions to meet pilgrims' needs. The 'Masand' medical bag is a portable unit that integrates advanced medical devices for fast and effective health diagnostics. It was developed through close collaboration between Doctory's team and SoiLAB's expert engineers, leveraging the latest technologies in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, laser cutting, and electronic circuit design—reinforcing SRTI Park's position as a leading hub for developing advanced medical devices through collaboration between government, academia, and industry. Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTI Park, said: "Doctory's innovative products, designed within SoiLAB, are a model of health innovation. This project reflects our commitment to empowering creative and innovative companies to turn their ideas into tangible solutions that improve lives. The Hajj season provides a unique opportunity to test these solutions in real-world conditions, showcasing SRTI Park's ability to turn research and innovation into practical outcomes." He added: "We are dedicated to enabling innovators by providing world-class research and development facilities, advanced industrial expertise, and supportive investment networks. Our goal is to create an environment where pioneering ideas in health technology can thrive, transforming how medical solutions are developed and implemented." The 'Masand' medical bag can directly connect patients with a network of specialized doctors, enabling remote diagnosis and treatment—even in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities. The bag has attracted significant attention from medical authorities and regulatory bodies during the current Hajj season, where it has proven effective in managing emergency health cases at the holy sites—affirming Sharjah's role in supporting Hajj efforts through advanced technology. Osama Shamsi Pasha, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Doctory, expressed his pride in this collaboration, saying: "The 'Masand' medical bag represents a significant leap in mobile healthcare, made possible by the advanced innovation environment and world-class team at SoiLAB. We have had previous successful collaborations with SoiLAB, such as developing the 'Doctory Chair,' which reinforces our confidence that SRTI Park is the ideal environment for testing ambitious ideas and turning them into practical products." This project extends SRTI Park's legacy of successful innovation, which includes developing protective masks during the COVID-19 pandemic using advanced lab techniques, as well as the production of smart prosthetic limbs in collaboration with specialized researchers—affirming its leadership today in testing and developing health devices that serve communities both locally and regionally. SoiLAB: The Future of Prototyping and Innovation The Sharjah Open Innovation Lab (SoiLAB) is a cornerstone of SRTI Park's vision in the health technology sector. It is a cutting-edge facility for prototyping and manufacturing, empowering startups, researchers, and industry leaders to develop, test, and refine advanced technological solutions. With its expanding capabilities—including 3D printing of metals, polymers, and concrete; electronics manufacturing; textiles; robotics; and advanced digital manufacturing—SoiLAB is strengthening Sharjah's position as a distinguished hub for healthcare innovation, medical device development, and AI-powered health solutions. SRTI Park continues to play a pivotal role in the innovation ecosystem by attracting leading and emerging companies in the healthcare and medical diagnostics sector, providing a flexible and supportive environment for advanced manufacturing and innovation—positioning Sharjah as a gateway for exporting cutting-edge technology to the region and beyond. Yacoub Al Tahtamouni Public Relations Specialist Email: yaltahtamouni@ PO Box: 66636 Sharjah UAE SRTI Park Office Location
Zawya
43 minutes ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Commerce media is the next big frontier in retail
Commerce media is emerging as the next big frontier in retail – and it's growing fast. Globally, the space is projected to reach $130bn by 2026, and could top $1bn by 2030, as giants like Amazon and Walmart continue to turn retail media into high-performing revenue engines. But where does South Africa sit in this fast-growing ecosystem? And how are local brands and retailers positioning themselves for a share of the pie? These questions shaped a fascinating panel discussion at the recent Converge Africa. The event brings together leaders in e-commerce, payments, fintech, digital marketing, and fulfillment to explore new growth opportunities. The panel featured insights from marketing, commerce media and data leaders at Woolworths, Coty, TrafficBrand, and eComplete, who unpacked what retail and commerce media looks like in the South African context – and why now is the moment to act. 'Commerce media is the broader play on traditional retail media,' said Daniel Levy, the co-founder and co-CEO of Flow, who led the discussion. 'It's not just about on-site banners or shelf space anymore – it's about monetising your audience across every digital touchpoint, on and off your own platforms.' Here are a few takeaways... 1. South Africa's model is different – and that's an advantage While South Africa may be behind markets like the US and UK in terms of infrastructure and scale, it has something those markets often lack: strong collaborative relationships between brands and retailers. This dynamic has created a more agile, flexible environment for commerce media experimentation. Even without automated tools and structured networks, the ability to co-create customised campaigns and rapidly iterate on them, is a unique strength of the local market. Panellist Ashleigh Boggon, head of Digital Commerce Africa at Coty Africa, also emphasised the value of an omnichannel approach, explaining how beauty brands, for example, can meet customers where they're already shopping – especially on fast-growing platforms like TikTok, where local beauty content is thriving. 2. You don't need a full media network to start One of the most actionable takeaways from the session? Social media platforms, owned content, and even e-mail databases are all powerful starting points when paired with the right strategic thinking. So, retailers and other commerce-style businesses can start with what they already have – by activating their own first-party data. 3. It's not the size of your data that counts - it's what you do with it Tiaan van Zyl, director of Analytics at TrafficBrand, pointed out that businesses often delay launching commerce media strategies because they're waiting for a 'perfect' CRM system or a fully enriched customer data platform. But in reality, many are already sitting on enough actionable insight to begin. Whether through basic performance metrics, anonymised behaviour data, or segment-level interest profiles, retailers can start with a minimum viable dataset, run small experiments, and refine from there. The key is to tie data use directly to measurable business goals – and let performance feedback drive the next step. 4. Strategic timing matters – and some are already ahead For Zach Nossel, head of Digital Marketing at Woolworths, commerce media didn't just make strategic sense – it was the natural next step in a longer journey of digital investment. Woolworths had already laid a strong foundation in customer data and analytics. What commerce media offered was a chance to unlock value from that data, particularly in high-growth categories like beauty, where customer engagement is rising and brands are hungry for new ways to connect with audiences. Flow's partnership with Woolworths enabled external brands to reach high-intent customers within a premium environment, without compromising Woolworths' brand integrity. In essence, the company had reached a sweet spot – the right tech, the right demand, and the right data to make commerce media work at scale. 5. Trust, transparency and tangible results Across the board, one insight stood out: commerce media is not just a media play – it's a relationship play. Success relies on alignment between partners, transparency in performance data, and shared business goals. Ray Williams, head of Digital Marketing at eComplete, highlighted how performance visibility and feedback loops are critical for building long-term trust with brands. Even where media operations are still developing, offering clarity on what's working – and where optimisations are needed – strengthens buy-in and accelerates growth. Retailers that can clearly demonstrate value, show campaign results, and adapt in real time will be the ones that win repeat investment from brands. The final takeaway? Commerce media in South Africa isn't just coming – it's already here. The infrastructure might look different from global giants, but the fundamentals are in place: consumer data, brand appetite, and digital platforms with scalable potential. Retailers don't need massive media networks or complex data ecosystems to get started. They need strategic intent, a willingness to test and learn, and partners who can help them unlock the full value of their audience. As Levy concluded: 'We're moving from 'media as spend' to 'media as revenue'. Commerce media is the business model shift that turns digital attention into growth – for both brands and retailers.'
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
UAE to ban single-use plastics by 2026
The UAE will ban single-use plastics by 2026 said Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. In a statement marking World Environment Day (June 5), Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak reaffirmed the country's unwavering commitment to reducing plastic pollution and protecting the environment—both nationally and globally. Speaking in line with this year's theme, 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' Dr. Al Dahak announced that starting January 1, 2026, the UAE will implement a nationwide ban on the import, production, and trade of single-use plastic products. UAE plastics ban This sweeping reform builds on earlier steps, including the 2024 ban on plastic bags, as part of a phased approach toward eliminating unnecessary plastic from daily life. Dr. Al Dahak said: 'The policy prioritises reducing plastic waste and promoting innovative solutions for sustainable packaging and recycling. Furthermore, we are resolutely committed to managing hazardous waste and aggressively reducing plastic waste at every level. 'Each of us, as responsible members of our community, can play a leading role in realising our nation's vision by joining the mission to eliminate unnecessary plastic from our daily lives. 'Let us become active agents of change, leading a powerful movement towards thriving communities, and a vibrant, resilient environment. Let us protect the land and the sea that are so integral to our lives, for ourselves, our loved ones, and for generations to come.' Dr. Al Dahak noted that the UAE's actions are aligned with international efforts and are bolstered by programs like Clean Rivers, an initiative by Erth Zayed Philanthropies. This project tackles plastic pollution in waterways by empowering local communities and supporting innovation to achieve plastic-free rivers. In parallel, the UAE's Circular Economy Policy plays a critical role by promoting sustainable resource use across sectors such as: Green infrastructure Transportation Manufacturing Food systems
