World Tops Mobile Shopping embracement: Visa reports UAE leading the charge
In the heart of the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making waves as a global leader in mobile shopping and digital retail transformation. According to recent data, the UAE boasts the highest rate of mobile shopping globally, with 67% of consumers using their smartphones for their most recent purchase - a 23% increase since 2022 [1][2].
This mobile-first trend is driven by several key factors. The UAE's high mobile adoption and usage are unparalleled, with 73% of consumers using their phones in-store to compare prices or collect loyalty rewards [2]. The preference for cross-channel shopping is also on the rise, with over half of shoppers blending physical and digital retail touchpoints.
One of the critical factors fueling this digital transformation is the adoption of innovative payment solutions. The UAE's proactive approach in introducing solutions like Tap to Pay, facilitated by collaborations between government and private sectors, further supports its mobile-first retail ecosystem [1].
The UAE's digital transformation initiatives are focused on creating a secure retail ecosystem. Salima Gutieva, Visa's UAE Country Manager, attributes this progress to the strong collaboration between merchants, regulators, and tech providers [3]. This collaboration is evident in the significant adoption of biometric authentication, with 32% of UAE consumers using fingerprint or facial recognition - nearly double the global average [1][3].
Local consumers highly value loyalty programs (75%), free shipping (73%), and price matching (70%), driving retailers to offer these incentives and enhance the overall shopping experience [1][3]. The UAE's government and private sector partners have invested in building a digitally enabled retail ecosystem, which includes robust infrastructure to support mobile commerce [1].
The findings suggest that the UAE's digital transformation efforts are reflected in the mobile shopping trends. Millennials lead the mobile-first movement in the UAE at 73%, while Gen Z and Gen X follow closely [3]. The UAE is pushing for digital transformation, aiming to create a seamless, secure, and tech-forward retail ecosystem.
As a result, the UAE has surpassed advanced markets such as Singapore and the UK to become the global leader in mobile shopping, with 37% of transactions completed fully on mobile [3]. The UAE's digital transformation is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in driving a tech-forward retail environment.
- The UAE's digital transformation in retail, propelled by innovation and collaboration, has resulted in a tech-forward ecosystem that prioritizes security and seamless experiences, such as biometric authentication, which is nearly double the global average.
- With a proactive approach towards adopting new payment solutions like Tap to Pay, the UAE is fostering a mobile-first retail environment, a trend supported by the government's collaboration with private sectors and aimed at catering to the preferences of tech-savvy consumers.
- The future of finance meeting the future of technology, the UAE is transforming the retail landscape by focusing on attractive incentives like loyalty programs, free shipping, and price matching, attracting both local consumers and global investors, making it a leader in mobile shopping and digital retail transformation.
