Guides
Top E-Commerce Websites In The Middle East In 2024
Discover the top e-commerce websites shaping the Middle East’s online shopping scene in 2024 in our roundup of market leaders and emerging platforms.
The e-commerce landscape in the Middle East is thriving. Whether you’re on the hunt for the newest gadgets, fashion, or home goods, our list of the top e-commerce websites in the Middle East provides an essential overview of the biggest and most influential sites that make online shopping a breeze. And if you’re on the selling side, you should be able to discover at least one platform where your products can easily reach a vast and engaged audience.
Quick Summary Of The Top 11 Best e-Commerce Platforms In The Middle East:
| Website: | Monthly Visits: | Founded: | Headquarters: | Product Category: |
| Amazon.ae | 24.9M | 2019 | Dubai, UAE | General |
| Noon | 16.6M | 2016 | Riyadh, KSA | General |
| Daraz | 12.4M | 2012 | Karachi, Pakistan | General |
| Desertcart | 3.8M | 2014 | Dubai, UAE | General |
| Digikala | 3.6M | 2006 | Tehran, Iran | General, Digital Goods |
| Namshi | 2.7M | 2011 | Dubai, UAE | Fashion, Footwear, Beauty |
| Jumia Egypt | 2.4M | 2012 | Lagos, Nigeria | General |
| Mumzworld | 1.4M | 2011 | Dubai, UAE | Mother, Baby, Child Essentials |
| The Luxury Closet | 924K | 2012 | Dubai, UAE | Pre-Owned Luxury Goods |
| OUNASS | 616K | 2016 | Dubai, UAE | Luxury Fashion, Beauty, Home |
| Sivvi | 132K | 2014 | Dubai, UAE | Fashion |
The Middle East Is Fast-Tracking E-Commerce Growth
In recent years, the global e-commerce market has skyrocketed, with Deloitte projecting a leap to $6.35 trillion in revenue by 2027. The Middle East, previously taking baby steps in this digital domain, has caught up at an astonishing pace, thanks to better internet, the rise of smartphones, and a newfound love for the ease of online shopping.
The pandemic played its part as the catalyst of MENA’s online shopping boom. With shopping from home becoming the new norm, the Middle East saw a dramatic pivot towards e-commerce, leading to a surge in demand for all things deliverable. Today, the sector is blossoming, set to hit a staggering $50 billion by 2025. The UAE market, a star in this digital constellation, is projected to grow from $10.37 billion in 2023 to $13.93 billion by 2027.
It’s clear that the e-commerce scene here is on a meteoric rise, backed by what has become near-total internet penetration and a digital payment preference shared by 70% of MENA consumers. While it’s difficult to predict who will emerge as the market leaders in the years to come, given the fast pace of technological innovation and shifting consumer habits, we know which e-commerce websites are leading the charge right now.
#1- Amazon.ae (Formally Souq)
🌐 Monthly Visits: 24.9 Million
📅 Founded: 2019
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: General
Amazon.ae became what it is today thanks to the acquisition of Souq.com, once the largest e-commerce website in the entire Arab world. The US tech giant spent $580 million to integrate Souq.com under its banner. This move not only expanded Amazon’s reach but also upgraded the shopping experience for millions in the Middle East with its vast product selection.
Just like Amazon.com, the UAE-specific website offers everything from the latest tech gizmos to fashion finds, home essentials, and beauty products, and more. If you can name it, Amazon.ae likely has it. But it’s not just about the range; the platform is renowned for its user-friendly experience, reliable delivery, and customer service that’s got your back.
#2- Noon.com
🌐 Monthly Visits: 16.6 Million
📅 Founded: 2016
🏢 Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
🛍️ Product Category: General
With roots in the UAE and a reach that extends into Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Noon is a homegrown marketplace that brings a diverse array of products right to the doorsteps of the Middle East. Launched by business tycoon Mohamed Alabbar and backed by the hefty support of the Public Investment Fund, Noon has quickly made its mark since its inception in 2016.
The site is a bustling hub for electronics, fashion, home goods, and even groceries. In August 2022, it expanded its fashion footprint by acquiring Namshi, further cementing its status as a full-spectrum lifestyle shopping destination. For sellers, Noon.com offers its Seller Lab and Fulfillment program, which simplifies logistics and order fulfillment so businesses can focus on what they do best — selling quality products.
#3- Daraz
🌐 Monthly Visits: 12.4 Million
📅 Founded: 2012
🏢 Headquarters: Karachi, Pakistan
🛍️ Product Category: General
Daraz might have started as a modest online fashion retailer in Pakistan in 2012, but don’t let its humble beginnings fool you. This platform has quickly evolved into a leading e-commerce powerhouse in South Asia, serving not just Pakistan but also Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. With the backing of tech giant Alibaba since 2018, Daraz has widened its catalog and sharpened its technological edge.
What’s remarkable about Daraz is its keen understanding of the local markets. It’s more than a shopping site; it’s a community builder, connecting over 34,500 sellers to millions of customers. From the busy streets of Karachi to the remote valleys of Chitral, Daraz makes sure that no matter where you are, you can buy or sell just about anything. And with a young, tech-savvy population that’s rapidly embracing digital payments — Daraz is at the forefront of shaping a digitalized Pakistan.
#4- Desertcart
🌐 Monthly Visits: 3.8 Million
📅 Founded: 2006
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: General
Established in 2014, Desertcart has become a go-to e-commerce platform in the UAE, known for sourcing products that locals might struggle to find. At its core, Desertcart’s approach is all about simplicity and service – think of it as a hybrid of Amazon’s expansive inventory and a personalized shop-and-ship solution, topped off with attentive customer support.
When the pandemic hit, Desertcart’s relevance soared, with the platform tripling its business. This surge was driven by its effective system that simplifies the complexities of international shopping. For customers looking for products from across the globe, Desertcart stepped in to streamline the process, managing the logistical hoops of shipping, customs, and after-sales service, which proved to be invaluable, especially when international supply chains were disrupted and local availability limited.
#5- Digikala
🌐 Monthly Visits: 3.6 Million
📅 Founded: 2006
🏢 Headquarters: Tehran, Iran
🛍️ Product Category: General, Digital Goods
Digikala has etched its name as Iran’s premier online marketplace, offering a one-stop-shop for an array of products, with a sweet spot for electronics and digital goods. It’s the brainchild of two brothers, Hamid and Saeid Mohammadi, who, fueled by their frustrating experience trying to purchase a digital camera, decided to create a solution. With just $10,000 from their savings, they launched Digikala in 2006, and it’s been on an upward trajectory ever since.
Key to securing customer trust are Digital’s consumer-centric features, like a 7-day return policy and an express delivery service. The platform has adopted various innovative strategies, including a pay-per-sale commission model, to stay afloat during economic downturns and continue serving millions of Iranians, even in the most remote villages.
#6- Namshi
🌐 Monthly Visits: 2.7 Million
📅 Founded: 2011
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: Fashion, Footwear, Accessories, Beauty
Namshi has been turning heads in the Middle East’s online fashion scene since its inception in 2011. Based in Dubai, this e-commerce platform has made a name for itself as the go-to destination for those looking to spruce up their wardrobe with the latest trends.
Namshi has smartly leveraged technology to simplify operations and manage the hefty traffic it garners, especially during sales and seasonal promotions. Because of its success across all fronts, Namshi was acquired by Noon in 2022, but it continues to operate as a distinctive brand within the e-commerce landscape. This acquisition has allowed Namshi to leverage Noon’s extensive regional infrastructure, enhancing its reach and operational capabilities.
#7- Jumia Egypt
🌐 Monthly Visits: 2.4 Million
📅 Founded: 2012
🏢 Headquarters: Lagos, Nigeria
🛍️ Product Category: General
Jumia Egypt, part of a broader Pan-African e-commerce pioneer, launched in 2012. It’s like a bustling digital marketplace that brings together a variety of sellers and products, ranging from tech gadgets to fashion, and everything in between. As a tech company, Jumia has knitted a complex web of logistics and payment services, simplifying the online shopping process for millions. While its roots are in Nigeria, Jumia’s branches stretch across the continent, with Egypt being one of its biggest markets.
Behind the scenes, Jumia is continually refining its technological backbone. In 2021, the company ramped up its tech center in Egypt, aiming to supercharge its services across Africa. And when COVID-19 hit, accelerating digital transitions, Jumia Egypt was ready, providing a lifeline to both consumers and entrepreneurs, including a substantial number of women who run businesses on the platform.
#8- Mumzworld
🌐 Monthly Visits: 1.4 Million
📅 Founded: 2011
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: Mother, Baby, Child Essentials
Mumzworld offers a huge selection of baby and childcare products to Middle Eastern shoppers. Founded in 2011 by a team of experienced parents and entrepreneurs, the website quickly established itself as a comprehensive one-stop online shop for everything a parent might need — from newborn essentials to toys for toddlers and gear for pre-teens.
At Mumzworld, the focus is on variety, quality, and the ease of having it all in one place. It’s got a clear edge with its extensive product range, hosting over 120,000 items from more than 600 top global brands. Whether you’re after a bottle that’s just right for your baby or the safest car seat for your growing toddler, Mumzworld offers it all, coupled with insightful customer reviews and competitive pricing.
#9- The Luxury Closet
🌐 Monthly Visits: 924,000
📅 Founded: 2012
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: Pre-Owned Luxury Goods
This Dubai-based platform, launched in 2012, has quickly risen to prominence by providing access to coveted high-end brands at significantly reduced prices. In 2021, The Luxury Closet successfully raised $14 million to expand its reach and solidify its position as a leader in sustainable luxury commerce. Here, fans of luxury can indulge in the likes of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Rolex, brands that are renowned for their reluctance to discount their wares. The Luxury Closet makes these aspirational labels more accessible, offering an average discount of 60% off retail.
Beyond the allure of savings, The Luxury Closet is driven by a mission to extend the lifecycle of luxury items, promoting a sustainable approach to fashion that resonates with a growing base of eco-conscious consumers. It’s a place where the past prestige of designer items meets the present desire for value and virtue.
#10- OUNASS
🌐 Monthly Visits: 616,000
📅 Founded: 2016
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: Luxury Fashion, Beauty Products, Home Goods
Since its inception in 2016 by the Al Tayer Group, OUNASS has become one of the go-to destinations for luxury fashion, beauty products, and home goods in the Middle East, offering over 300 opulent brands.
OUNASS promises 2-hour delivery within Dubai and same-day dispatch across the UAE, so shoppers with deep pockets don’t have to wait to wrap themselves in the luxury they’ve purchased. This level of service is complimented by potential savings, as OUNASS often features deals that allow for a more accessible foray into the world of high fashion without the steep price tags.
#11- Sivvi
🌐 Monthly Visits: 132,000
📅 Founded: 2014
🏢 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
🛍️ Product Category: Fashion
Born in 2014 and now powered by the e-commerce giant Noon, it’s quickly become a high-traffic destination for fashionistas in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Sivvi dishes out a mix of high-street and luxury brands, serving up the latest trends and wardrobe staples for women, men, and kids alike. With over 2,000 brands under its belt, the platform delivers everything from casual tees and denim to designer dresses and activewear, not to mention accessories and beauty products to tie your look together.
With an intuitive app, shopping is a breeze, offering personalized recommendations, easy-to-navigate categories, and a wishlist to bookmark those must-have items. And if you’re impatient for your fashion fix, Sivvi’s got you covered with fast delivery options, including same-day service in Riyadh and next-day in many KSA and UAE cities. What seals the deal are their customer-friendly policies like free returns within 14 days and a range of payment methods.
Conclusion
Our exploration of the top e-commerce websites in the Middle East has highlighted everything from sprawling generalists like Amazon.ae and Noon.com to online stores such as Namshi and Sivvi. As the region continues to embrace the digital revolution, with a young, tech-savvy population and increasing internet penetration, e-commerce is set to flourish even further.
Note: Traffic data for the e-commerce websites listed comes from SimilarWeb.
Guides
Getting Started With Google Gemini: A Beginner’s Guide
Learn how to use Google’s powerful AI chatbot, Gemini. Explore its unique features, get tips for effective prompts, and see how it compares to ChatGPT.
Google Gemini, a large language model (LLM) that outperforms OpenAI’s GPT-4 in many benchmarks, has been available in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region since February 2024. This guide is aimed at those who have yet to try it as well as those who are currently wondering whether they should cancel their ChatGPT subscription in its favor. We provide a comprehensive overview of its capabilities and a brief comparison with its biggest rival.
What Is Google Gemini?
Born from the evolution of Google’s AI initiatives, Gemini, formerly known as Bard, is a state-of-the-art chatbot developed by Google. This LLM initiative was Google’s answer to the fast-rising popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Gemini brings to the table a suite of capabilities we’ve come to expect from large language models:
- Multi-Modal Understanding: Gemini is natively multi-modal, meaning it can understand, operate across, and combine different types of information including text, code, audio, image, and video.
- Sophisticated Reasoning: Gemini’s reasoning capabilities enable it to think more carefully before answering difficult questions, leading to significant improvements over just using its first impression. This is particularly useful in fields requiring complex problem-solving abilities.
- Advanced Coding: Gemini can understand, explain, and generate high-quality code in over 20 programming languages. It excels in coding benchmarks, making it a powerful tool for developers.
- Multi-Language Support: Gemini’s translation abilities and its support for numerous languages help break down communication barriers. This is especially valuable in a globalized world, making both work and personal interactions potentially smoother.
- State-Of-The-Art Performance: Gemini Ultra (used in Gemini Advanced) has outperformed human experts on the MMLU benchmark, a massive multitask language understanding test, scoring 90.0%. It exceeds current state-of-the-art results on 30 of the 32 widely-used academic benchmarks.
While Gemini was introduced with the ability to generate images through Google Brain’s Imagen 2 text-to-image model, these image generation capabilities are currently disabled because the feature created a controversy after flooding the internet with historically inaccurate, racially-biased images.
Google Gemini Availability
Currently, Gemini supports more than 40 languages, including Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish, among others, and extends its reach to over 230 countries and territories, with Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Tunisia all being on the list.
Besides the standard version of Gemini, which uses Google’s Pro 1.0 model, there’s also Gemini Advanced, which is based on the Ultra 1.0 model. This more sophisticated version of the LLM is available in more than 150 countries and territories in English. Again, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Tunisia are all supported. Unfortunately, Gemini Advanced is optimized only for English, so its responses in other languages can be a hit or miss.
How To Use Google Gemini?
Getting started with Google Gemini, whether on desktop or mobile, is a straightforward process:
On Desktop:
1- Visit The Gemini Website: You can find it at gemini.google.com.
2- Sign In: Click on the Sign in If you have an existing Google account and are older than 18 years, then you can simply use it to sign in. If you don’t have one already, this is the time to create it.
3- Accept The Terms Of Service: Read and accept Google Gemini’s Terms of Service by clicking more, followed by I agree on the subsequent page.
4- Start Using Gemini: After clicking Continue, you will be directed to the Gemini page.
5- Message Gemini: Type your question or search term into the search box and press enter. Await Gemini’s response, which will be generated based on the input provided.
On Mobile:
- Android: As an Android user, you can download the Google Gemini app from the Play Store, or you can use the mobile version of the gemini.google.com website.
- iOS: Unfortunately, there’s currently no dedicated Google Gemini app for iOS, but there’s a Gemini tab will appear at the top of the Google app.
Top Tips For Google Gemini Beginners
One of the biggest advantages of conversational AI systems like Gemini is their intuitiveness. You can literally just start asking questions and issuing commands, and Gemini will do its best to understand and respond appropriately. However, to truly harness the power of Google Gemini, especially if you’re just starting out, it’s important to keep a few key tips in mind:
- Double-Check Information: Click the Google icon below any response from Gemini. This feature allows you to quickly verify the accuracy of the information provided using Google Search.
- Provide Feedback: Use the thumbs up or down icons to give feedback on Gemini’s responses. This simple action helps Gemini learn from your preferences, continually improving the accuracy and relevance of its future replies.
- Listen To Responses: For those who prefer auditory learning or simply wish to hear the information, click the speaker icon at the top of a response. This feature converts text to speech, allowing you to listen to Gemini’s replies.
- Leverage Multi-Modality: If you’re stuck explaining something in words, try supplementing your query with an image or reference a piece of code. Gemini’s understanding of different input types can lead to more nuanced assistance.
- Break Down Complex Tasks If you have a complicated problem, try breaking it into smaller, sequential steps. Gemini can assist with each stage, making the whole process more manageable.
- Experiment With Prompts: Don’t be afraid to rephrase questions or provide additional context to guide Gemini in different directions. You may be surprised by the insights you uncover through a slight change in wording.
ChatGPT vs Google Gemini: Which Is Better For MENA Users?
With both Google Gemini and ChatGPT being available in the MENA region, users have unprecedented access to some of the most advanced AI chatbot technologies. Deciding which platform best suits your needs depends on various factors, including pricing, features, and how well each integrates into your daily digital routine. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed decision:
| Service: | Model: | Pricing: | Features: |
| Gemini Free | Gemini Pro 1.0 | Free | Access to Gemini Pro within supported countries with a Google account. |
| Gemini Advanced | Gemini Ultra 1.0 | $19.99/Month | Access to Ultra 1.0 LLM and all Google One subscription benefits, including 2 TB of cloud storage. |
| ChatGPT Free | GPT-3.5 | Free | Access to GPT-3.5 with basic OpenAI account registration. |
| ChatGPT Plus | GPT-4 | $20/Month | GPT-4 access with browsing and analysis features, and DALL-E capabilities for image generation. |
Gemini presents a compelling option for users deeply embedded in Google’s ecosystem or those looking for a value-packed subscription. With the Google One AI Premium plan, you can enjoy access to Gemini Advanced and 2 TB of cloud storage space for use across Google’s suite of products, which includes Gmail, Google Docs, and more. Best of all, you can currently get two months of the Google One AI Premium plan for free, so there’s no reason to not give it a try.
On the other hand, ChatGPT shines with its extensive feature set, especially with DALL-E for image generation and the ability to create and train custom GPTs. Despite what artificial LLM performance benchmarks say, ChatGPT’s answers are typically more accurate and relevant than Gemini’s, but they do take longer to generate, and there’s a fairly strict usage limit (40 messages every 3 hours). Unfortunately, OpenAI doesn’t offer a free trial version of its ChatGPT Plus plan, but you can play with the free version of ChatGPT without any limitations.
Conclusion
Google Gemini is a fascinating addition to the world of conversational AI, and it’s already available to users across the MENA region. With its advanced capabilities — from multi-modal understanding to sophisticated reasoning and multi-language support — it presents a good alternative to ChatGPT for those in the Google ecosystem as well as those who have a need for another AI companion in their.
Samsung Galaxy Ring Wearable Will Launch In Eight Sizes
Abu Dhabi Developer To Build World’s First Healthy Living Island
NETGEAR’s Orbi 970 Routers Offer Powerful Wi-Fi 7 Connectivity
Adobe Reveals New AI Tools That Will Wow Photoshop Novices
du Considers Adding Crypto & Investment Tools To New Service
UGREEN Unveils Nexode RG 65W Charger For Middle East
Dubai Residents Will Soon Travel Door To Door By Flying Car
Lebanese Newspaper Builds AI President To Beat Political Crisis
Elon Musk Reveals Details Of Latest X Plan To Fight Bots
