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Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UAE leads the world in mobile shopping usage, global survey reveals
The UAE has been ranked first globally for mobile shopping usage, with 67% of consumers using their smartphones for their most recent purchase whether online or in-store, according to the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report places the UAE ahead of other tech-savvy markets like Saudi Arabia (66%) and Singapore (65%), cementing its position as a leader in digital retail engagement. Mobile Shopping Surges Across the UAE Smartphone usage for retail purchases in the UAE has grown by 23% since 2022, driven by demand for convenience, security, and seamless omnichannel experiences. The UAE also leads in online purchases via mobile devices at 37%, according to the survey, which was commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence. The study gathered insights from 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants between October 17 and December 9, 2024, across eight global markets. In-Store Shoppers Also Go Mobile While mobile is dominant online, it's also transforming the in-store shopping experience: 73% of UAE consumers use their phones in-store to compare prices, search for coupons, or collect loyalty rewards. This high engagement reflects a growing comfort with blended retail journeys, where the mobile device acts as a shopping assistant both digitally and physically. Generational Breakdown of Mobile Shopping Habits Although mobile shopping spans all age groups, adoption rates vary: Millennials lead with 73% adoption, the highest among all age groups. Gen X surprisingly outpaces Gen Z , highlighting a more established reliance on mobile shopping. , highlighting a more established reliance on mobile shopping. Baby boomers and seniors show much lower adoption, with only 18% using smartphones for their latest purchase. Security and Convenience Fuel Mobile Growth UAE consumers cite security and ease of use as key reasons for their high mobile engagement: 32% of users used biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition) in their latest online transaction that is almost double the global average. One-third of shoppers chose one-click checkout via third-party platforms, far exceeding the global average of 17%. Cross-Channel Shopping on the Rise Consumers and businesses in the UAE are increasingly adopting cross-channel shopping features, allowing seamless transitions between online and offline retail: 53% of UAE shoppers already use or are interested in using cross-channel features. On the business side, 56% of merchants currently offer these options, while 28% plan to implement them. This alignment between consumer expectations and retailer offerings positions the UAE as a leader in digital commerce innovation. Daily Shopping Habits Highlight Mobile Preference According to the index: UAE shoppers perform 1.5 mobile shopping activities per day, second only to Saudi Arabia. They use mobile phones for product research an average of 17 days per month, preferring smartphones over computers across all digital shopping tasks.
Al Etihad
02-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE leads world in mobile shopping: Visa
2 July 2025 18:27 DUBAI (WAM) The UAE has emerged as the world's leading market for mobile shopping, according to the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index, UAE edition, commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by PYMNTS on insights from a survey of 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants in the UAE, the report examines the growing role that mobile devices play in consumer behaviour, providing UAE retailers with insights to deliver more convenient and secure shopping experiences for their findings found that 67 percent of UAE consumers used their phones as part of their latest retail purchase, marking a 23 percent increase since to the index, the UAE has the highest rate of online shopping with mobile devices, at 37 percent, ahead of Singapore (34.8 percent), the U.K. (27.6 percent), and Brazil (24.4 percent).32 percent of UAE consumers surveyed used biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) for their latest online retail transaction, far exceeding the global average of 17 percent.53 percent of UAE consumers want to use cross-channel shopping (across physical and digital channels and different devices), the second-highest rate shoppers rank among the highest worldwide in preferring rewards programmes (75 percent), free shipping (73 percent), and price matching (70 percent).38 percent of UAE shoppers made their most recent retail purchase online through a mobile phone or computer for home trends are supported by a robust business and regulatory environment, with UAE merchants and the government working closely to deliver secure, seamless, and customer-centric digital payment Vice President and Country Manager for UAE, Salima Gutieva, said, 'The UAE's approach shows what is possible when all stakeholders work together to build the future of commerce. Visa is delighted to contribute to the UAE government's digital commerce agenda, and we remain committed to working with local businesses and banks to introduce innovations such as Visa's Click to Pay that can deliver the digital payment experiences that today's consumers demand.'Consistently high rates of mobile shopping across demographic segments underscore just how universal the mobile-first mindset has become in the lead in mobile shopping at 73 percent, while Generation Z trails Generation X slightly. Baby boomers and seniors are dropping off sharply, with just 18 percent using a mobile phone for their latest purchase.
