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The global e-commerce market is booming with around 51% of online shoppers buying online at least two to three times a week, according to a recent DHL report (pdf). Purchases using social media platforms are forecasted to grow 12x and reach USD 8.5 tn by 2030, according to DHL. The growth pattern extends to regional e-commerce markets funneling a slew of investments towards e-commerce and last-mile delivery platforms.
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Key findings: Some 80% of buyers said the choice of logistics provider influenced their buying decisions. On top of this, affordable and flexible delivery options were identified as a key decision factor for e-commerce customers, as 41% of shoppers were found to abandon their carts due to expensive delivery fees.
Going green: The integration of sustainable practices in the supply chain is becoming increasingly relevant to buyers, with 76% considering sustainability important to their purchasing decisions. In the Europe and Asia-Pacific markets, 73% of buyers wanted to know the carbon emissions related to their deliveries, with 43% of shoppers willing to accept longer delivery times if it impacts the sustainability of their delivery, the report finds.
Cross-border transactions are on the rise: Some 75% of buyers shopped from foreign retailers once a month, and 17% once a week, with the majority making purchases in fashion, electronics, and cosmetics.
Closer to home: Saudi Arabia’s e-commerce market is expected to be worth USD 44 bn by 2030, up from USD 21 bn today. The sector is slated to grow by 13.5% annually, beating a global average of 11.2%, as digital infrastructure and e-commerce are a key pillar of the Kingdom’s diversification efforts.
E-commerce players are flocking to the region: The Saudi Export Development Authority (Saudi Exports) inked an agreement in June with Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba to offer Saudi products on the platform, expanding their reach to global markets. Nigeria-headquartered Jumia Group launched an integrated 5k sqm warehouse in June near Casablanca and another 30k sqm integrated facility in Lagos.
Expansions on the rise: DHL Express inaugurated a EUR 218 mn expansion of its MENA hub and main office at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) last month. The new 54k square meter expansion can accommodate 12 DHL aircraft and process over 2 mn shipments annually. Dubai South and Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer Al Dar Properties (Aldar) inked an agreement back in May to develop a build-to-suit facility for Swiss-based logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel at Dubai South’s EZDubai e-commerce hub. The pair broke ground in June on their new e-commerce fulfillment and distribution center in Dubai South’s e-commerce zone EZDubai.
