First came Amazon, then came Amazon Prime. UAE residents can now not only shop for almost anything on the world’s biggest e-tailer, they can also take advantage of its year-round next day delivery service.
Amazon Prime launches in the UAE on Tuesday June 11, giving shoppers access to exclusive deals as well as priority shipping on international orders.
Here is everything shoppers need to know about Amazon Prime:
How does Amazon Prime work?
Amazon Prime subscribers get free next-day delivery across the UAE with no minimum purchase on hundreds of thousands of products. They will also receive shipping benefits on orders they want to receive the same day, with 50 per cent off on deliveries to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain and Ajman. Prime members will also get free delivery in six to nine business days for international orders over Dh100 on five million Prime-eligible products shipped from Amazon US.
What other benefits does Amazon Prime give shoppers?
Members will have exclusive access to shopping deals throughout the year. Amazon holds a 'Prime Day', an annual global shopping event which usually takes place in mid-July. Amazon offers its Prime customers 36 hours of deals across electricals, books, fashion, homeware and more, all with free next day delivery. Prime members can also enjoy 30 minute early access to Prime eligible lightning deals and exclusive access to special shopping deals and events.
How much does Amazon Prime cost?
UAE Amazon customers can enjoy a 30-day free trial if they sign up to Prime now. If, at the end of the 30-day period, they wish to continue using the service, they can take advantage of an introductory offer which will cost Dh12 a month. The introductory offer will run until October 31 2019, when the price will rise to Dh16 a month or Dh140 annually (which averages out at Dh11.70 a month).
What else do you get for that price?
As well as shopping benefits, Prime members will also have access to Amazon's streaming service. Prime Video allows users to stream movies and TV shows to their laptops, phones or tablets, or watch from their smart televisions. They will also have access to a number of Prime Video's original shows, including the likes of Mirzapur, The Grand Tour, All or Nothing: Manchester City, Hanna, and more.
Members will also have access to Twitch Prime, a gaming service that offers in-game content, free games, a free monthly Twitch channel subscription and more.
How does Amazon Prime compare to other online delivery options?
In terms of fast delivery, Amazon Prime looks set to offer UAE customers one of the best options around. It will be one of the only e-tailers in the UAE offering shoppers free year-round shipping for a flat rate, and some of the fastest shipping times on international orders.
Noon.com offers shoppers free delivery on orders of more than Dh100, although shipping time can vary depending on the product. They also offer Noon.com lockers throughout the UAE, where orders can be stored and collected securely.
In other countries, online fashion retailer Asos offers a year-round next day delivery service similar to Amazon Prime, however the service is not yet available in the UAE. Here, shipping costs Dh31.99 with an estimated delivery time of 10 days, although shipping is free for orders of Dh160 or more. Express delivery costs Dh112, and can have orders at your door within five days.
Namshi shoppers enjoy some of the fastest shipping in the UAE, with most orders being delivered the next day. It charges Dh10 for delivery for items under Dh100.
Shoppers of Dubai-based site Awok can expect to wait between four and seven working days for orders, although that can vary depending on stock availability. Shipping costs range from Dh9 to Dh39.
