The UAE has emerged as the highest cell buying market globally, in line with the newly launched 2025 International Digital Procuring Index – UAE version, commissioned by Visa Acceptance Options and carried out by PYMNTS Intelligence.
Primarily based on a survey of 1,679 shoppers and 329 retailers throughout the nation, the report discovered that 67 per cent of UAE shoppers used a cell phone as a part of their most up-to-date retail buy — a 23 per cent enhance since 2022.
The info confirms the UAE’s place as a world chief in mobile-first digital commerce.
UAE cell buying
With 37 per cent of all on-line purchases within the United Arab Emirates made through cell gadgets, the nation ranks forward of Singapore (34.8 per cent), the UK (27.6 per cent), and Brazil (24.4 per cent).
The index additionally highlights the UAE’s robust embrace of biometric authentication, with 32 per cent of customers utilizing fingerprint or facial recognition to finish their newest on-line retail transaction — almost double the worldwide common of 17 per cent.
Salima Gutieva, Visa’s Vice President and Nation Supervisor for United Arab Emirates, stated: “The UAE’s strategy exhibits what is feasible when all stakeholders work collectively to construct the way forward for commerce.
“Visa is delighted to contribute to the UAE authorities’s digital commerce agenda, and we stay dedicated to working with native companies and banks to introduce improvements similar to Visa’s Click on to Pay that may ship the digital cost experiences that immediately’s shoppers demand.”
The report additionally notes that 53 per cent of shoppers within the United Arab Emirates want cross-channel buying, combining in-store, cell, and on-line experiences — the second-highest price on the earth.
Moreover, 38 per cent of customers opted for house supply via cell or desktop throughout their final retail buy.
Client preferences proceed to form the UAE’s digital economic system. The report exhibits:
- 75 per cent of customers worth rewards programmes
- 73 per cent anticipate free transport
- 70 per cent need price-matching presents
Millennials lead cell adoption with 73 per cent utilizing telephones to buy, adopted intently by Era Z and Era X.
Child boomers and seniors present considerably decrease cell engagement, with solely 18 per cent utilizing a cell gadget for his or her final buy.
