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UAE Moments
a day ago
- UAE Moments
♏ Scorpio Daily Horoscope for July 3, 2025
Love Open communication is powerful now. If tensions linger, address them with honesty and compassion. New connections may emerge—perhaps from your past. Authenticity attracts depth. Finance Your strong analytical side gives you financial advantage today. Research before investing and think long-term. Careful planning will yield better results than quick decisions. Career A breakthrough could be on the horizon. You're sharp and focused—innovative ideas will get noticed. Channel your intensity into strategic action for best results. Health Balance is essential. Counter stress with physical activity like swimming, walking, or deep breathing. Use downtime to reset your mind. Personal Growth Embrace today's energy for transformation. A shift in routine or mindset could open new pathways. Reflect on how changes align with your long-term vision. Lucky Color & Numbers
Economy ME
2 days ago
- Economy ME
Saudi Arabia's e-commerce sales hit $18.5 billion in Q1 2025, up 56 percent YoY
E-commerce sales in Saudi Arabia via ' Mada ' cards during the first quarter of 2025 reached their highest levels ever, totaling more than SAR69.3 billion (around $18.5 billion), achieving an annual growth of 56 percent, and an increase of approximately SAR24.9 billion compared to the same period in 2024, during which sales reached SAR44.4 billion, according to the statistical bulletin issued by the Saudi Central Bank for May. The report, carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), indicated that the number of transactions executed via Mada cards exceeded 370 million during the first quarter, while sales achieved a quarterly growth of 26 percent, an increase of approximately SAR14.1 billion, compared to SAR55.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024. Measuring monthly performance, e-commerce sales via Mada reached approximately SAR27.4 billion in May, registering an 18 percent growth from the previous month, when sales reached SAR23.3 billion, with transactions exceeding 147 million. The data showed a cumulative growth of 31.3 percent during the period from January to May 2025, an increase of approximately SAR6.5 billion, compared to sales of SAR20.9 billion in January. The Saudi e-commerce market is witnessing rapid expansion, with total market size projected to reach between $16.5 billion and $27.96 billion in 2025, depending on the source. This growth is supported by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 12 percent through 2030. E-commerce now accounts for about 18 percent of total retail sales in the Kingdom, indicating significant room for further growth as digital adoption continues. Key drivers of growth Digital transformation and Vision 2030: The Saudi government's Vision 2030 initiative has been pivotal, focusing on digital infrastructure, cashless transactions, and fintech solutions. These efforts have created a robust environment for online retail and increased consumer trust in digital payments. Mobile and internet penetration: With internet penetration at 98.6 percent and smartphone usage at 97 percent, Saudi consumers are increasingly shopping online, with over 91 percent of consumers now making purchases via digital platforms. Mobile payments: The mobile payments market in Saudi Arabia is expected to reach $25.94 billion in 2025, with remote payments (including e-commerce) growing at a CAGR of 15.4 percent. Contactless and mobile wallet adoption is widespread, with 94 percent of cardholders using tap-to-pay features in 2024. Read more: E-commerce in Saudi Arabia sees 17.47 percent surge with 40,697 new records in Q2 2024 Consumer behavior and payment trends Shift to digital payments: The adoption of digital payment methods such as Mada, Apple Pay, and stc pay has simplified transactions and increased consumer confidence. Mada, as the national payment network, is central to this shift, enabling secure, instant payments both online and in-store. Mobile commerce: Over 70 percent of e-commerce transactions in Saudi Arabia are now conducted via mobile devices, reflecting the population's comfort with technology and preference for convenience. Women's participation: Women are increasingly active in the digital economy, making up nearly 75 percent of online purchases in 2023, supported by government initiatives to empower female entrepreneurs and digital workers. Sector highlights and leading categories Food and grocery delivery: This segment is witnessing particularly rapid growth, with leading platforms like Hungerstation and Jahez reporting significant increases in order volumes and gross merchandise value. Retail and social commerce: Traditional retailers such as Jarir Bookstore have successfully expanded online, while social commerce and influencer-driven sales are becoming more prominent. Business and regulatory environment Increase in e-commerce businesses: The number of registered e-commerce businesses in Saudi Arabia reached 40,953 by the end of 2024, marking a 10 percent year-on-year increase. Logistics and infrastructure: Investments in logistics, last-mile delivery, and digital payment infrastructure are further supporting the sector's growth and efficiency.
Arabian Business
2 days ago
- Arabian Business
Can growth survive a decade of disruption?
We are entering an age where growth is no longer the result of favourable conditions. It is shaped by resilience, discipline, and clarity of purpose. Today's leaders must respond to a world defined by geopolitical fragmentation, shifting trade routes, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying regulatory pressure. Growth in this environment is not a passive outcome of expansion. It is the result of choices made deliberately and executed with conviction. Across the Middle East, governments and institutions are pushing forward with long-term transformation agendas despite these headwinds. This is not a sign of immunity to risk but rather a reflection of the region's ambition to shape its own trajectory. Growth cannot be assumed. It must be built, step by step, through leadership that reads the signals of change and adapts without hesitation. In this context, some strategic priorities will define which institutions are equipped to sustain progress in a world that rewards speed but punishes fragility. Digital as infrastructure Digital transformation has moved past from being a competitive differentiator. It has become foundational to institutional relevance. The most meaningful progress is taking place in the systems that operate behind the interface. These are the infrastructures that support scale, enable intelligent decisions, and respond to market dynamics in real time. As regulatory expectations evolve around artificial intelligence, data privacy, and operational resilience, digital capability is no longer a matter of customer experience alone. It is now essential to compliance, stability, and long-term viability. Financial services are increasingly delivered through third-party environments including retail, logistics, and healthcare. This shift demands that institutions design technology to integrate, not just operate, and prioritise security, compatibility, and consistency at every level. Cybersecurity and trust as core competencies Digital trust has become a strategic issue. It is no longer confined to risk departments or audit reports. It sits at the center of how institutions are evaluated by customers, regulators, and partners. Trust today is defined by how institutions manage identity, protect data, and communicate during incidents. Cybersecurity must be treated as a forward-looking investment, not a reactive function. Customers are interacting through digital channels by default. Their expectations are shaped by platforms that operate at the highest levels of transparency and reliability. In this environment, institutions cannot afford to treat trust as a legacy advantage. It must be maintained, reinforced, and actively governed. Talent that reflects market reality As economic cycles compress and technological shifts accelerate, institutions need people who can operate under pressure, adapt quickly, and lead across functions. The most valuable employees are not just subject-matter experts. They are systems thinkers with the ability to connect trends, navigate ambiguity, and drive outcomes. The workforce of the future will not be built through static recruitment models. It requires investment in learning, exposure to real-world problem-solving, and a culture that values experimentation over process for its own sake. Leadership is no longer defined by seniority or tenure. It is measured by decision-making quality in uncertain environments. Growth that is context-aware and selective Institutions must be strategic in how they pursue growth. Market entry or expansion should be based on more than opportunity. It must be grounded in policy alignment, infrastructure maturity, and the presence of real demand. Institutions that succeed in this environment are those that understand nuance, move deliberately, and stay disciplined even when conditions appear favourable. Growth should be seen as a commitment to creating long-term value within well-understood contexts. This includes evaluating how financial ecosystems are evolving, identifying gaps that can be addressed collaboratively, and ensuring that expansion aligns with regulatory and social expectations in each market. Reframing engagement around people's lives The expectations of customers have shifted. They now look for financial experiences that integrate into daily life, support planning, and adapt to change. Banking is no longer about isolated transactions. It is about enabling individuals and businesses to move forward with confidence. Real-time budgeting, automated investment, and integrated insurance are no longer fringe services. They are becoming central to what customers expect from financial partners. Institutions must not only deliver these services but do so in ways that are intuitive, responsive, and responsible. Meeting these expectations requires more than technology. It requires a mindset that places the customer's needs at the heart of how strategy is developed and executed. Strategy built to endure In a world where conditions shift rapidly and certainty is limited, institutions must design their strategies to last. This involves building models that absorb shocks, sustain relevance across cycles, and deliver value regardless of market volatility. Growth will not favour those who simply react to change. It will favour those who act with discipline, lead with foresight, and remain accountable to the environments they operate in. That is the work ahead, and that is how institutions will prove their resilience.
