Sandeep Ganediwalla, Special to Gulf News

Articles from the author

In-app ads are just what ecommerce portals need

As for shoppers, they need to accept that affordable ecommerce does have a cost too

Generating more revenues via in-app ads should be a priority for Middle East ecommerce platforms, whatever be their size.

Gunning for supremacy in Gulf’s online shopping

Amazon, noon battle it out, but local retail groups are gaining by going omni-channel

The battle for outright supremacy continues in GCC's online shopping landscape.

Time Middle East digital economy kicked up a gear

Middle East’s shopping portals have to be thinking profitability than only tapping demand

Middle East online portals have been clocking high double-digit growth rates for some time now. Now, they need to show they can make profits out of that.

TikTok and short-form are ruling Middle East charts

Brands in the region are taking their time to get busy on TikTok, but that will change

In the Middle East, TikTok has zoomed up the charts on user numbers and interaction. Only a matter of time before brands and advertisers go heavy on TikTok.

UAE brands realise value in direct-to-consumer channels

In 2021, these brand operated channels racked up $1b in sales – and it is just the start

Brands are investing in their own channels to manage their e-sales. It is starting to pay off.

Movie theatres can seek synergies with streaming sites

It is not as farfetched as it sounds, if per-view deals can be made to work

Recreate viewing experiences will be crucial for movie theatre operators. They can do so by seeking a closer alliance with streaming providers, who are now creating content as well.

Online shopping goes all chatty

Whether on WhatsApp or Messenger, sellers find they can score sales this way

Which one do you want to use to shop today? Retailers are using messaging platforms to go direct to shoppers.

Cash-on-delivery is finally sliding in importance

Trend to watch out for is a more customer convenient 'buy now, pay later' option

Split up the payments at no interest... Buy now, pay later options are building quite a sizeable share of the retail volumes in the UAE. And there's more to come.

Retailers have got all their online lessons this time

But shoppers will no longer be tolerant of delays and quality slip ups

Gulf's shoppers picked up many valuable lessons in buying their requirements via online channels. Now, they will keep continuing to do so.

No need to reinvent wheel on e-grocery sales

But what online sellers need to do is immediately deliver a superior shopper experience

With people spending significant time at home due to social distancing, consumers have fundamentally altered the way they shop in this new environment with contactless online shopping emerging as a preferred channel.

Demand for fashion could be in for an Eid boost

It’s clear there is pent up demand, but will retailers be able to fulfil it?

The Fashion Avenue section in Dubai Mall. Retail sector suffered significant damage during the lockdown phase. Within retail, one of the largest declines recorded was in the fashion category.

Not the time for UAE F&B to fight it out

Restaurants, online delivery portals are wasting valuable time engaging in free for all

Steep decline in demand has resulted in disagreements between restaurant owners and food delivery platforms over the way to tackle the slowdown brought on by Covid-19.

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