The number of online shoppers in the Middle East grew 6% between 2013-17, says Pricewaterhouse Cooper’s latest Middle East Retail Survey. With around 29% of Middle East consumers now shopping online each month, the region’s retail sector is undergoing some “game changing developments” that are giving rise to numerous opportunities. “The appetite for investing in online retail continues to grow with high profile acquisitions from heavyweight players such as Amazon and Souq.com and JadoPado.com, along with the anticipated launch of Noon which is due to have a big impact on the region,” says the report. PwC outlines five main areas that “will be top of mind for Middle Eastern retailers” when weighing out investments in the coming period. Those are mobile, social customer engagement, secure platforms, loyalty, and showroom experience. “The investment areas identified are critical for any retailers looking at their long-term retail strategy and they must quickly learn to develop omni-channels to ensure that both their online and offline strategies are not only aligned, but monetised,” says PwC Middle East Retail and Consumer Partner Norma Taki.

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