Dubai, UAE, 07 November 2022: Seventy-two percent of in-store shoppers in the UAE said they are more likely than others to use their smartphones to enhance their shopping experience, especially to look up product information and compare prices at other merchants using their devices, according to “The 2022 Global Shopping Index: UAE Edition,” a PYMNTS and Visa Cybersource survey, Visa’s payment gateway and risk platform.
UAE consumers’ strong penchant for mobile-enabled shopping experiences is just one of many traits that make the country’s eCommerce market unique on the world stage.
Conducted across Australia, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States, the survey delves into the details of what separates the UAE eCommerce market from other major world economies — and what those differences mean for the businesses looking to make their mark.
The survey polled 13,114 consumers and 3,100 merchants in six countries to find out how shopping preferences in the UAE differ from those in other countries, which shopping and payment features local shoppers want most, and how well local merchants are meeting their customers’ demands.
“UAE shoppers’ strong preference for mobile commerce touches every aspect of their shopping journeys, including their in-store shopping experiences. Meeting these mobile-centric shoppers’ needs is crucial to the success and growth of businesses in a market that is steadily progressing in its cashless journey,” said Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s SVP and Group Country Manager for GCC region. “With the growing interest in online and mobile shopping in the country, responsible digital retailers are looking to improve their systems to provide their customers with a seamless and secure shopping experience online and in-store shopping experiences for customers. These statistics allow retailers to identify challenges and adapt to consumers' mobile preferences to make their retail journey safe and frictionless."
Key findings from the survey include: