DHL has released the preliminary findings of its Global Online Shopper Trends 2024 report, which provides valuable insights into shopper behaviour around the world, based on a survey of 12,000 consumers in 24 countries, including the UAE.
The results show that the vast majority (71%) of online shoppers in the UAE want to know about the delivery service provider before making a purchase, compared to 65% of global shoppers.
The report revealed the rise in popularity of commerce via social media platforms, with Snapchat being the most popular social media platform for shopping in the UAE. App-based e-commerce platforms such as Shein and Temu have also gained immense popularity globally, due to their wide product offerings at affordable prices, and have emerged as the most app-based marketplaces used by online shoppers in the country.
“The report aims to assess how customers and clients shop online, as well as understand the reasons why they abandon their shopping carts. High delivery costs, long delivery times, having to pay for returns, lack of product information, and lack of product images were the top reasons cited by global shoppers. Providing a reliable delivery and returns service can help resolve shoppers’ frustrations and improve their experience in the UAE; consumer purchasing patterns are influenced by social and technological trends, including social media,” said Amadou Diallo, CEO of the company in the Middle East and Africa.
The report pointed out that online shoppers in the UAE are among the first subscribers to email newsletters worldwide, and shoppers in the country rank third globally in actively using voice assistants to make purchases.
Globally, most online shoppers prefer to browse and purchase products using their smartphones. More than half (57%) use their smartphones as their most common and popular device. Shoppers were also highly cost-conscious, especially when looking for affordable, flexible and convenient delivery options. High delivery costs are a major barrier, with 41% of global shoppers abandoning purchases, due to high delivery fees and not knowing the delivery provider before they make a purchase.