China to Saudi, what are the online shopping habits of people from the UAE and Saudi?
As global e-commerce continues to expand, the Middle East—particularly Saudi and the UAE—is emerging as a significant growth market. Consumers in these two countries have distinct online shopping behaviors that businesses must understand to succeed in the region.
UAE Consumer Habits
Importance of Information Sources: UAE shoppers tend to consult multiple sources before making a purchase. User-generated content, such as product reviews and customer feedback, holds the most influence. They also trust social media, product review sites, and brand websites, but are generally skeptical of labels, in-store promotions, TV, and traditional ads.
Power of Social Media: Social media plays a key role in purchase decisions. Consumers often turn to platforms like Instagram and TikTok to discover products and read user experiences before buying.
Saudi Consumer Habits
Preference for Variety: Saudi shoppers favor cross-border e-commerce for the broader product selection it offers. Many items unavailable in local stores can be sourced from global platforms.
Most Purchased Categories: Clothing is the most commonly purchased category, followed by electronics, phone accessories, shoes, and bags.
Frequent Cross-Border Purchases: About 37% of Saudi consumers report making at least one cross-border purchase per month. High-frequency categories include baby products, pet supplies, sports goods, toys, and home & garden items.
Delivery Time Expectations: Speed of delivery is a major concern. Most Saudi consumers expect delivery within one week, especially when paying for shipping themselves. Notably, 73% say they expect delivery in under 6 days if shipping is not free.
Both markets emphasize user reviews and trust peer feedback over traditional advertising. Saudi consumers, in particular, are drawn to international e-commerce for variety and convenience. E-commerce businesses looking to thrive in the region must prioritize fast shipping, diverse product offerings, and trust-building through authentic content.
Ontask Express focuses on the Saudi special line, providing customers with efficient and reliable Saudi door to door logistics, with a focus on the Middle East region. With overseas warehouses in Jeddah and Riyadh, along with a self-managed Chinese delivery team, we empower Chinese products to go global and benefit all humanity!