Shopify – Shift of Consumer Habits in Dubai _ UAE

by Julia Jackle - Jul 17, 2020

Shopify – Shift of Consumer Habits in Dubai / UAE

The constant evolution of digital technology and the progress in e-commerce means that the way consumers in Dubai and the UAE buy products and services today is also changing tremendously. I mean,technology has created a commercial digital landscape free from any geographical constraint and the usual dynamics generated by traditional stores. And even physical stores are also undergoing a revolution: in addition to integrating technologies in-store, they are also better connected to the digital world to provide a more seamless Omni-channel purchase journey for consumers. As a result, it is essential to understand these changes as well as their implications as you launch your online store or seek to optimize the results of your marketing programs. So, how have online shopping habits changed, and how does it affect you as an online merchant?

1. Shopping without borders

At first, E-commerce was intended to facilitate the sale of products at the national level; therefore, consumers in the UAE had the opportunity to purchase products with the home delivery services throughout the country. However, with the expansion of ecommerce, buyers in Dubai and the UAE at large can make purchases anywhere in the world, enjoying a globalized experience in order to get unique products that may not be available in the local market. This is not only a habit that benefits consumer acquisition but also allows the expansion of your customer base with international sales.

2. Smart operations

The initial concept of online shopping focused on transactions through computers; this was an easy task to do from the comfort of their homes or work office. But with the irruption of technological advances, this dynamic has changed, as consumers currently have access to smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, and even consoles to make digital purchases. What is the benefit of this? Consumers can use mobile applications on their devices and make transactions from wherever they are 24/7. On the other hand, these applications have notifications of offers on items of interest that encourage purchases.

3. User experience

With the advancement in the field of E-commerce, online stores have ceased to be portals of only “products you need.” Currently, digital stores invite users to discover what they have on offer, suggesting more and more personalized products of interest. This is an attribute that adds points in terms of user experience, as it increases the confidence of consumers when making purchases.

4. Information

Currently, consumers are more involved in the search for information on the products they want to buy. This can be done thanks to the details and features that are published on the online page. Additionally, they look for references on the web about their items of interest. For example, if a product is a game console, they look for opinions from video game professionals. This represents a breakthrough in terms of the information handled by the customer since customers feel secure in completing the transaction because they understand what they are buying.

How does trust influence shopping habits?

Trust is of the utmost importance to boost online purchases and determines the future of consumer’s purchases. Given the increase in E-commerce in recent years, trust increases progressively in customers, to the point of replacing purchases in physical stores with digital commerce.

How is trust evaluated?

Customers value this according to previous experiences, fast, comfortable, and safe payment options; and the quality of the products found in the catalog.

5. Payment options

Payment options have been developed to offer multiple alternatives to customers; allowing each individual to make precise decisions that facilitate the acquisition of products. In the early stages, credit cards, checks, and cash were the most popular means of payment for purchases. However, these methods have changed to more innovative ones such as debit cards, wire transfers, virtual wallets that allow you to affiliate multiple bank accounts, mobile payments, and even cash payments at the door of your home when you receive the product (payment upon delivery).

6. Type of products

In a report published by the J. Walter Thompson Intelligence Innovation Group it was confirmed that, in previous years, clothing and accessories were the main categories of online sales. At present, users have varied the trend of purchases, with electronic items being the most popular; amongst them, the latest generation cell phones. This is followed by home appliances, sports supplements, beauty products, video games, and books.

7. User experience

The user experience is made up of multiple elements that range from the online shopping process in general to the number of categories it has to search for your favorite products. Among these elements is the web design of the page or mobile application. Therefore, customers focus on finding attractive pages that offer more intuitive processes that facilitate seamless purchases.

Go to Creative971 ultimate Dropshipping UAE dubai guide to learn about dropshipping.

At Creative971, we keep our Shopify knowledge and training up-to-date in order to offer our clients quick, beautiful and user-friendly e-commerce sites. To discover how optimized your Shopify store is, or to get started on a shiny new site today, get in touch. 

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About the Author:
Julia Jackle
Julia is the co-founder and CEO of Creative971 and has written blogs in the past for the Entrepreneur Magazine UAE. Her extensive knowledge in the E-Commerce industry in the UAE and GCC is widely appreciated.

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