e-commerce in the Middle East growing fast – 2014 Mastercard report
According to a special Mastercard Shopping Behavior Study released recently, e-commerce is finally making its mark in the Middle East, and how. The UAE leads the table with just above 50% of consumers reporting that they had used an e-commerce platform. With around 70% of the UAE's population connected to the internet, and with almost 75% with smartphones, that is no surprise. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are followers on the leader board with nearly 48% saying they have transacted online. The study was based on a survey of 3000 people. Areas where people use e-commerce include shopping for air tickets and other travel-oriented services, DVDs, CDs and books, clothing and accessories and food items. These have always been e-commerce favorites – anywhere in the world. Shopping transactions via mobile phones are also expected to grow strongly in the region, increasing by almost 20% in the next few years. That, again is not surprising with the smartphone-in-wallet ratios climbing steeply eve...