Despite high levels of disposal income, internet and smartphone penetration and rapidly changing consumer preferences, the e-commerce industry in the GCC continues to remain in its infancy, says MR Raghud of Marmore Mena Intelligence.
Here, Mr Raghud talks to The National about the issues involved.
It is estimated that online sales in the Middle East is at a mere 2 per cent of overall retail sales; while it is much higher at 15 per cent in developed markets. The low penetration of e-commerce is an opportunity waiting to be grabbed. However, it also stokes fear that it could lead to the decline of the physical segment of retail in GCC.
This concern has turned into a reality in many developed markets such as the United States, where the accelerated shift of Americans shopping via the internet has pushed several retailers into bankruptcy. Approximately 8,640 stores with 147 million square feet of retailing space is expected to close down in US over this year. That would surpasses the level of closures after the financial crisis and dotcom bust, and signifies the enormity of the threat the conventional retail industry faces from the e-commerce segment. The current state of the US conventional retail segment prompts the need to address the following questions in the GCC context.
The GCC e-commerce industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30 per cent to rise from US$5 billion in 2015 to $20bn at the end of 2020. While, the conventional retail market size in GCC is expected to be at $206bn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 4 per cent during the same period. Although the pace at which the regional e-commerce industry is expected to grow is commendable, it would only account for 10 per cent of all regional retail sales. Given the size of the conventional retail industry in the region, it would take the e-commerce segment considerable time before it posed a major threat to traditional retailers. We believe there is enough space for both segments currently and physical stores have time to pull up their socks and think of ways to beat the online competition. The fear is not so near as generally perceived.
The conventional segment in the region is still in its growth stage. Some of the factors that testify that the industry is yet to reach saturation are the steady supply of retail real estate, lower concentration of the market, limited presence of international players, and consumer spending. There are currently ongoing retail projects worth $24bn in the GCC countries. The numerous mall developments in the pipeline are a testament to immense opportunities in the sector. Unlike the US market, which witnessed dramatic overbuilding of stores resulting in excessive retail space, the retail space density in most of the GCC countries is still sparse. The gross leasable area (GLA) for retail per capita in US is around 2.3 squre metres (4.6 sq m, if small shopping centres and independent retailers are added) as against 1.39sq m in Dubai and 1.48sq m in Abu Dhabi. These numbers indicate that there is still enough room for conventional retail space to grow.
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The divergent cultural and climatic differences between the GCC region from the US and European markets illustrates the need to gauge the regional retail industry differently. Larger and well-bonded families, regular outings, high per capita spending and lack of other entertainment avenues make malls exciting places to be. Mall of Emirates is the seventh most productive shopping centre across the world, earning $1,423 per square foot per annum. Emaar Malls collectively had 125 million visitors during 2016, similar to annual footfall during 2015. Dubai Mall, being the most visited shopping destination, attracted more than 80 million visitors for third consecutive year since 2014, compared with 65 million visitors in 2012. This is higher than the total number of visitors to Niagara Falls and New York's Central Park put together. Going to the mall is an integral part of the region’s culture. Malls offer a unique proposition of entertainment plus shopping and continue to be the choice of destination for shoppers as it offers a wholesome experience.
While customers are gradually favouring online purchases, there are region-specific impediments to growth. The biggest hurdle for the growth of e-commerce industry in the region is the lack of consumer trust and awareness. GCC consumers are still wary of shopping online, fearing fraud, data security and privacy issues. Moreover, the e-commerce ecosystem such as digital banking distribution and logistical infrastructure is largely underdeveloped. The GCC banking industry is facing huge challenges in meeting customer expectations in digital experience, relatively few people have credit cards and online payment systems are in their infancy. The region still relies heavily on cash-on-delivery, which makes an online shopping operation even more difficult to manage. Cash-on-delivery can result in problems with returns or undelivered items, and often means higher costs, making it an unattractive option.
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For now e-commerce industry does not pose a considerable threat to the GCC region’s physical retail. However, if conventional retailers are too complacent and fail to react to the changing trend, they are likely to lose their market share as witnessed in developed markets. A viable option for conventional retailers is to adopt to the hybrid retail model, which involves having both an online and offline store presence. Using a brick and click model, retailers can leverage upon their e-commerce sites by providing information about the latest products, sales, and deals in a physical store. This in return attracts customers to the physical store either to look at the product or to collect their purchased product.
This way the hybrid model is a win-win arrangement for both the conventional retailers and the customers.
M R Raghu is managing director of Marmore Mena Intelligence, a research house focused on conducting Mena-specific business, economic and capital market research.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Manchester United v Liverpool
Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)
UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Company%20Profile
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Results
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
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QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
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The view from The National
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The Buckingham Murders
Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu
Director: Hansal Mehta
Rating: 4 / 5
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh