Global mall

Online shopping winning over UAE residents


So, it's shopping time. You get into your car and head for the nearest mall. Once you are at the centre, and have spent 15 minutes looking for a parking space, you find your way through the crowds of people inside, steering your shopping cart, maybe trying to look after a small child simultaneously.

How about a change in scenario? Replace the car by a personal computer connected to a phone line and swap the leather purse for credit cards or an electronic account. Welcome to the world of online shopping, a world of virtual malls, shopping sites and stores.

Virtual shopping is winning over residents of the UAE in a big way. We find more and more stores going e-commercial and we find more and more shoppers becoming Internet savvy.

"Magrudy was the first store in the UAE to offer customers an online shopping facility back in 1997," says Jayan V. V, manager of the bookshop. He also claims that sales after the launch of the website have gone up by 50 to 70 per cent. Magrudy offers free of charge delivery within the UAE for all online orders and charges the transit costs for deliveries outside the country. "The website enables us to cater to customers not only in the UAE and the Gulf but also in Europe and America," says Jayan.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the World Wide Web is the fact that it is global. Stores have a wider market to pitch sales and sell products, and customers have a huge selection and variety to choose from. Shoppers can also compare prices and can get product reviews online. "Online shopping offers me choice, convenience and value for money," says Sajida Ismail, a Dubai-based banker who feels very comfortable shopping over the net and has not had an unsatisfactory experience as yet. She generally shops for clothes and books. "I find a wider selection of books over the net to choose from. Also since I am a regular shopper I get exclusive discounts and reward programmes that make the Internet a cost effective channel for shopping," asserts Sajida. "However, nothing can compare to the experience of shopping at a brick and mortar store," she adds.

Customers can't test things on the net, such as test-drive a car, spray on a perfume or try on clothes. From the store's point of view, if goods sent to the consumer are returned, the costs are increased.

There still are many people who shy away from shopping online since there is no guarantee of a secure transaction or safe delivery. The threat of hackers and the possible misuse of the credit, charge or debit card or personal information are the main reasons why some people won't buy over the Internet. But various Internet-friendly credit cards are available in the UAE that insure shoppers against misuse. These cards have a low credit limit so that not much is lost in case of a credit card fraud.

Despite its limitations, online shopping continues to the charm residents of the UAE. Even non-residents have been able to avail of the Dubai Shopping Festival discounts and promotions thanks to the many e-shops. For information on the shopping festival you can visit DubaiCityGuide.com that covers information on major events during the DSF. The website provides hyper links to the shopping malls and hotels that are running special promotions during the DSF.


FEW LINKS TO E-SHOPS IN THE UAE

A variety of goods: www.uaeol.com/shopping/shopping.html and http://uaeshoppers.com/

On-line department store: www.uaemall.com/

Books: www.magrudy.com/

Mobile phones: www.gsmpro.com/

Electronic goods - www.bestbuydubai.com/menu.html

Electronics, household goods, computers and mobile phones: www.jackys.com/

Computers, printers, computer accessories: www.uae4computers.com

Flowers: www.emiratesflowers.com

Carpets: www.persiancarpethouse.com

Confectionary: www.bestwishesonline.com

Jewellery: www.atlasjewellery.com