Latest news with #RemoGiovanniAbbondandolo
Al Etihad
25-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE leads MENA's digital growth with 320% rise in online shopping: Checkout.com
25 May 2025 23:05 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI) has released its fifth annual report, titled "The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025 – Trends That Matter: Insights into Changing Consumer Behaviour".The report gives a comprehensive look at digital transformation in MENA, drawing on five years of date, with a focus on consumer insights, regulation shifts and technological reaffirms the UAE's position as a world leader in digital transformation and fintech adoption, ranking it as one of the most advanced digital economies in the on the study, Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager, MENA at said that "the region is not catching up, it is leading the world". "MENA is one of the most exciting places in digital commerce, and we are proud to help turn innovation into real impact," he purchases have surged by 320% in the UAE, by 300% in Saudi Arabia, and by 275% in Egypt since 2020, according to the this timeframe, noted a 626% increase in total processing volume globally, with the UAE registering a 1333% surge and 177% year-on-year growth, from 2023 to 2024, respectively."Fast, secure, intelligent payments are now a key differentiator," added said companies that thrive in this environment see payments as a product, not infrastructure, and one integral to every touchpoint in the user report is based on a and YouGov survey of 18,000 adults from around 16 countries (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other global markets), and findings were corroborated with network data from (gathered from billions of transactions and fraud trends).Beyond daily shopping, more consumers were turning to digital platforms for their routine purchases, with food delivery leading the way as the top-performing vertical capturing a 57% share of online purchases, while clothing and fashion came in second with a 48% of online spending, and travel snapping the third place at 38%. This underscores the diverse and dynamic nature of the UAE's e-commerce landscape, not only in terms of volume, but in the wide range of goods and services that consumers are now confident in purchasing online, the study trend is expected to continue, with 62% of UAE shoppers confirming that they will increase their online purchases in report found that traditional cash-on-delivery usage has fallen by 53% since 2020, as more people trade 42% of consumers in the UAE send money weekly with digital wallets, and 35% are actively using fintech platforms for investment and wealth intelligence (AI) adoption was on the up; 46% of shoppers were using generative chat tools to enhance their experience and 37% were using visual search AI to help them find products digital shift is also affecting in-store habits; 44% of consumers searched online for alternatives whilst in-store have responded by embedding QR code discounts and AR product previews in digital transactions increase, security concerns are rising percentage of UAE consumers reporting online fraud jumped from 35% in 2023 to 57% in 2024, and 23% have abandoned shopping carts due to concerns over data security. Consequently, businesses are taking advanced technologies like machine learning, behavioural biometrics and real-time anomaly detection for consumer protection in a big way.
TECHx
23-05-2025
- Business
- TECHx
MENA 2025 Digital Commerce Sees Rapid Growth: Report
Home » Emerging technologies » Fintech » MENA 2025 Digital Commerce Sees Rapid Growth: Report has revealed key insights in its fifth annual report on digital commerce across the Middle East and North Africa. The report, The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025 – Trends That Matter , highlights the region's shift toward digital payments and e-commerce. According to the report, the MENA region continues to rank among the most advanced globally in technology adoption and consumer appetite for digital solutions. Emerging technologies are accelerating economic transformation in the region. Over the past five years, daily online transactions have increased by 139%. reported a 626% surge in total processing volumes in MENA since 2020. Year-on-year growth stands at 78%. This growth reflects changing consumer behaviour. Digital platforms are now the default choice for many. Food delivery dominates online spending, with a 47% share Clothing and fashion follow at 38% Beauty products and electronics each capture 34% Consumers are increasingly using digital platforms for daily purchases. The UAE has seen a 388% year-on-year growth in Account Funding Transactions (AFTs), reflecting a sharp shift toward real-time payouts. noted that 61% of MENA consumers plan to increase online shopping next year. Sectors expected to benefit include travel, food delivery, and retail, along with government and public services. Cash-on-delivery usage has dropped by 60% since 2020. This shows a clear move toward digital convenience. Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager, MENA at reported that MENA is not just keeping up—it is leading global digital commerce trends. The report also revealed strong fintech adoption. About 43% of consumers in the region use apps or digital wallets to send money weekly. Meanwhile, 62% are using fintech platforms for investment and wealth management. Artificial intelligence is reshaping shopping habits. 45% of consumers have used Generative Chat tools for shopping 53% have used Visual Search AI tools AI features like virtual try-ons and intelligent chatbots are becoming common. MENA consumers are more likely to engage with these tools than shoppers elsewhere. In-store shopping is also evolving. About 37% of MENA consumers check online for better deals while browsing in physical stores. Retailers are responding by integrating digital tools like QR codes and augmented reality. Trust in digital commerce now depends on peer reviews and social proof. Consumers rely on third-party feedback as much as brand reputation. However, online fraud remains a growing concern. Since 2023, reported victims of online fraud in MENA have increased from 33% to 49%. stated that advanced security measures such as machine learning, real-time detection, and behavioural biometrics are helping to counter these threats. Abbondandolo emphasized that payment performance now plays a critical role in customer experience and business success. The company has been tracking e-commerce trends in MENA for five years. The latest report offers a detailed analysis of the region's 60-month digital transformation.
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: 44% of residents browse in-store but shop online, says report
Nearly half of UAE shoppers (44%) are turning to online platforms for better product choices, even after browsing items in-store, highlighting a major shift in consumer behavior, according to a new study by The report reveals a growing reliance on AI-powered shopping tools such as visual search, virtual try-ons, and intelligent chatbots, making the UAE one of the most advanced markets for digital shopping innovations. More than a third, 37 per cent, have utilised visual search AI to find products more efficiently. From virtual try-ons to AI-powered chatbots, the report cites that consumers in the UAE are more likely to engage with intelligent shopping tools than shoppers in other markets. "The data from this year's report clearly highlights the UAE residents' growing appetite for solutions that not only simplify their daily interactions but also meet the increasing need for convenience, security, and innovation in their shopping and payment behaviours," said Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, general manager for Mena at "The UAE government has played a key role in fostering a digital ecosystem that enhances the convenience and security of online transactions. This proactive approach has laid a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of advanced technologies," he added. Cash-on-delivery plummets The UAE has one of the world's highest internet and mobile penetration rates, making online purchases smoother and faster, especially after the coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, approximately 62 per cent of UAE consumers plan to increase their online shopping next year, with the categories most anticipated to benefit from increased transactions being travel, food deliveries, and government and public services. As more consumers embrace the convenience and accessibility of digital shopping, the preference for cash-on-delivery in the UAE continues to decline sharply. Since 2020, cash-on-delivery usage has plummeted by 53 per cent. Routine online purchases growing The study found that more consumers are turning to digital platforms for their routine purchases, with food delivery leading the way as the top-performing vertical, capturing a massive 57 per cent share of online purchases. In comparison, clothing and fashion came in second with 48 per cent online spending, and travel came in third at 38 per cent. It revealed that impulsive buying is no longer in the bag. "In fact, it might be an 'impulse inspiration' to look online. Retailers are adapting by embedding digital tools into physical stores, from QR codes for discounts to product previews powered by augmented reality," it said. The survey found that the country is a global leader in adopting Generative Chat platforms, as 46 per cent of shoppers have used these tools to enhance their online shopping experience. The report noted that the UAE stands out as a mature geography with widespread adoption of digital wallets and a growing market for investment apps, alongside developing peer-to-peer payment and digital insurance solutions. Around 42 per cent of UAE consumers are now using apps or digital wallets to send money at least once a week, and 35 per cent are using fintech platforms for investment and wealth management.
Trade Arabia
13-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Checkout.com plans to expand card issuing in UAE
a leading global digital payments company, has announced its intention to expand its card issuing capabilities in the UAE. aims to roll out domestic card issuance in the region in 2026, pending regulatory approval. This will enable businesses to launch branded cards, whether physical or virtual, power customer rewards, streamline expenses, and simplify business-to-business payouts. Issuing will also help businesses extend the value they offer to consumers, bringing greater control of complex financial money flows. Speaking at Thrive Abu Dhabi, first conference in the UAE, CEO and Founder Guillaume Pousaz unveiled the upcoming launch alongside Mena General Manager, Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo. 'As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today's announcement is proof of our commitment to the Mena region and its rising influence in the digital economy,' comments Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, Mena General Manager at 'The appetite for innovation here is real, and we're proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it.' -TradeArabia News Service
Zawya
10-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Checkout.com gears up to become the first global digital PSP to launch card issuing in the UAE
aims to launch card issuing in 2026, pending regulatory approval. Experiential travel platform Headout is among the first merchants to show interest in domestic issuing with in the region. LONDON AND ABU DHABI — a leading global digital payments company, today announced its intention to expand its card issuing capabilities in the UAE, marking a first-of-its-kind investment by a global digital payment service provider in the region. aims to roll out domestic card issuance in the region in 2026, pending regulatory approval. This will enable businesses to launch branded cards, whether physical or virtual, power customer rewards, streamline expenses, and simplify business-to-business payouts. Issuing will also help businesses extend the value they offer to consumers, bringing greater control of complex financial money flows. Speaking at Thrive Abu Dhabi, first conference in the UAE, CEO and Founder Guillaume Pousaz unveiled the upcoming launch alongside MENA General Manager, Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo. The keynote, delivered to over 150 merchants and partners on Saadiyat Island earlier today, also welcomed H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. 'As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today's announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy,' comments Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, MENA General Manager at 'The appetite for innovation here is real, and we're proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it.' Headout, a leading marketplace for experiential travel, recently appointed as its primary acquiring partner and launched card issuing for its European entities. The company has already expressed interest in expanding its domestic issuing capabilities across MENA when application is approved. was the first global payment service provider to obtain a Retail Payment Services license from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and to bring Mada and Apple Pay to merchants across the UAE and KSA. The highly anticipated launch of issuing marks another milestone in MENA expansion. Most recently, the company launched Flow Remember Me, a product that lets shoppers save their card details once and then be immediately available for use across global network. Currently in beta with local merchants, early adopters are benefiting from reducing checkout time by up to 70%. In February, the company became the first to launch Visa Direct's Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, supporting domestic and cross-border payouts. longstanding relationship with Mastercard also grew in 2025 to enable merchants to send funds directly to third-party cards in a fast, convenient, and secure way. 'With bold moves like Saudi's Vision 2030 and the UAE's 2031 Agenda, MENA is fast becoming a global standard for digital transformation,' adds Abbondandolo. 'At we're here to support that momentum. Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity. In MENA, performance is personal. It's local. It's built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive.' Press contact pr@ About processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually. With flexible and scalable technology, we help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, reduce processing costs, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 16 offices worldwide, is trusted by leading brands, such as Alshaya Group, Botim, Dyson, Hunger Station, Instashop, Qlub, Majid Al Futtaim, Netflix, SHEIN, Sony, and Tamara. Where the world checks out.
