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MENA Online Electronics Sales Grew By 7% In 2023
Despite inflation and rising prices, the Admitad affiliate network says growth aligns perfectly with the global rate.
According to newly released data from the Admitad affiliate network, MENA shoppers made 7% more orders in 2023 and spent 5% more while doing so. The reported rates perfectly align with the pace of global growth, according to Admitad’s analytics.
As part of the study, the company examined over 9 million online orders across 360+ brands. 600,000 MENA online orders were included in those figures, along with 144 local brands and local branches of global companies such as Canon, Dyson, Huawei, Alibaba, and more.
When it comes to online electronic purchases, the MENA cities with the highest share of orders in 2023 were Dubai, Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Ramat Gan, Petaẖ Tiqwa, Istanbul, Sharjah and Kuwait City.
According to Admitad’s data, the main channels through which MENA brands and marketplaces attracted sales were: (by their share in the total number of sales)
- Affiliate Stores: 23%
- Content Platforms & Online Media: 21%
- Groups & Blogs In Social Media: 4%
- Contextual & Targeted Ads: 5%
- Cashback Services: 2%
- Coupon Sites: 4%
- External Mobile Apps: 2%
- Other: 3%
Sales through third-party mobile apps grew significantly in 2023, with purchases of electronics through those mediums doubling. Sales through affiliate stores jumped 62%, while MENA buyers also paid more attention to recommendations from content platforms and media this year, with sales through those channels rising by 12%.
Also Read: Tribit FlyBuds C1 Earbuds Review: The Ultimate Bang For Your Buck
Admitad experts remain optimistic about their forecast for the growth of online sales of electronics in 2023 and believe that the MENA market will continue to expand. Of key importance for the industry is the upcoming holiday sale season, with brands hoping to maximize profits during White Friday and Cyber Monday.
News
“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships
The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.
Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.
Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.
The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.
Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East
The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.
All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.
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