17 Big Moves Redefining Global & MENA eCommerce
RETAIL Monthly Wrap-Up May
As May comes to a close, the digital commerce ecosystem keeps on changing fastโfrom high-stakes purchases and regional growth to AI integrations, viral consumer behavior, and regulatory changes. This month’s highlight shows how technology, trade, and change are converging in global and regional markets. Here’s your all-inclusive pulse check on the stories that are shaping the future of commerce.
๐๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ข
In a significant expansion milestone, PayPal has opened its first regional HQ in the Middle East and Africa in Dubai Internet City. Having a global presence in more than 200 markets and payment volume of $1.68 trillion, the move reiterates PayPal’s long-term commitment to facilitation of digital commerce in the region.
Look for enhanced support to SMEs, innovative cross-border payment technologies, and an innovation pipeline of AI-powered fintech solutions aimed at driving MENA growth.
๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ $๐.๐๐ ๐๐๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐จ๐จ
US-headquartered DoorDash is making a big push across the Atlantic with a $3.6 billion takeover bid for UK food delivery player Deliveroo. The 180p-per-share offer is now under consideration, with board approval due by May 23. The deal, if completed, would open access to 10 new overseas markets and further consolidate DoorDash’s presence in Europe, after it acquired Wolt for $8B in 2021.
With Deliveroo’s share price off by almost 50% since its IPO and recent pullback from Hong Kong, this proposal may be the turning point both brands requireโmarking a redrawing of the food delivery map around the globe.
๐๐ง๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ
Unilever is marrying business and environmental responsibility in the UAE with a new initiative linking product prices to environmental influence. The campaign involves planting 6,000 mangrove trees and boasts high-profile partnerships with LuLu, Emirates Nature-WWF, and local influencers.
The early effect? A 12% increase in sales of sustainable products, demonstrating the power of eco-awareness, education, and incentives to change behaviour at scale.
๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฑ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ
In a top leadership shake-up, Othman AlJeda has resigned as CEO of UAE-headquartered logistics industry leader Aramex. It is his third straight decade at the top, and his departure is “for personal reasons,” but happens at a time when there is a general top-level churn. Nicolas Sibuet, CFO of Aramex, is assuming the role of acting CEO.
The announcement follows Q Logistics, part of Abu Dhabiโs ADQ, acquiring a majority stakeโmarking a pivotal moment in Aramexโs evolution as it gears up to compete in a next-gen logistics market.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ญ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐
IKEA is further extending its sustainability strategy with the opening of IKEA Preowned in Belgiumโan online marketplace for consumers to sell and purchase second-hand IKEA products. Following pilots in Madrid and Oslo, the initiative takes advantage of Belgium’s emerging circular economy.
In 2024 alone, IKEA had more than 11,600 returned items through in-store buyback. Belgium’s second-hand furniture market reached โฌ184M in 2023, up 31% YoYโmaking this step both timely and strategic.
๐๐๐๐๐ + ๐ง๐จ๐จ๐ง: ๐๐-๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ
ADNOC Distribution is partnering with eCommerce giant noon to transform last-mile delivery in the UAE. The approach? Roll out noon Minutes hubs at ADNOC fuel stations to establish a lightning-fast, AI-driven logistics system that delivers ADNOC Oasis products directly to customers’ doorsteps.
This collaboration merges ADNOC’s vast retail network with noon’s advanced logistics technologyโpropelling the UAE toward a new benchmark in on-demand convenience.
๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ'๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฉ ๐ญ๐จ $๐.๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก
Card spending reached QR13.8 billion ($3.8B) in March 2025, over almost 48.4 million transactions, according to the Qatar Central Bank. Point-of-sale was 58%, eCommerce 27%.
These figures reflect Qatar’s fast-track transformation to digital-first, cashless payments, spurred by demand, phone penetration, and fintech growth.
๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐, ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐
Egyptian startup Rabbit has opened for business in Saudi Arabia, establishing its regional HQ in Riyadh and launching dark stores in major cities. Backed by leading investors, the firm is seeking 20 million item deliveries by 2026, pursuing a $2B+ e-grocery opportunity in an underpenetrated market.
Rabbit’s tech-led, hyperlocal approach is a complete fit for Saudi Vision 2030โprioritizing SME development, digitalization, and local sourcing.
๐๐ข๐ค๐๐จ๐ค ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฉ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง
TikTok is further expanding its commerce domination worldwide with a scheduled rollout of TikTok Shop in Japan, following recent launches in France, Germany, and Italy. With Japan’s strong mobile usage and social commerce demand, the expansion might redefine Japan’s eCommerce landscape.
Rabbit’s tech-led, hyperlocal approach is a complete fit for Saudi Vision 2030โprioritizing SME development, digitalization, and local sourcing.
๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ
Fashion industry folks, listen up. Toby Bateman comes back as MR PORTER CEO, with Jeremy Langmead returning as Brand Director. They’re bringing back the platform’s original vision of being a worldwide leader in luxury menswear, content, and commerce.
New chapter in the works, with a concentration on luxury, curation, and cutting-edge digital storytelling.
๐๐๐'๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐จ ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ณ๐ฒ: "๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ข ๐๐ก๐จ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐" ๐๐จ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฅ
What began on TikTok has become a full-blown retail mania. The “Dubai Chocolate” trendโfocused on pistachio spreadโhas blown up on UAE retailers such as noon Minutes and Amazon.ae, with numerous SKUs selling out within hours.
From luxe collabs and house labels to pistachio-flavored ice cream, donuts, and holiday treats, this trend is fueling double-digit growth and showing that viral + food = serious commercial clout.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐.๐. ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ซ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ $๐๐๐
DHL Express suspended international shipments over $800 to U.S. consumers for the time being as new customs regulations come into effect. The formal entry threshold has been lowered from $2,500 to the current level, necessitating stricter processing.
Shipments under $800 are unaffected, while B2B shipments might experience short-term delays as the market adjusts.
๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ข ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ฑ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐๐ง.๐๐ข & ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐: ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐
Dubai CommerCity has joined forces with AI pioneers queen.ai and Portmind during Dubai AI Week to revolutionize the digital trade landscape. The collaborations will make everything from customer outreach to supply chain management seamless, ushering in an era of frictionless, personalized eCommerce.
This is a radical step in intelligent commerce, demonstrating the potential of data and AI to power quicker, more responsive trade at a national level.
๐๐ฆ๐๐ณ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
Amazon raises the bar in beauty with a new premium skincare storefront that includes brands such as Caudalie, La Roche-Posay, and Dermalogica. Customers can now sort by skin type, ingredient, or brandโand see an AโZ ingredient guide for education-led shopping.
It’s all part of Amazon’s drive to be the most trusted beauty destination for both daily essentials and luxury skincare.
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ข ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) of Saudi Arabia has approved significant amendments to its VAT Implementing Regulations. The revisions explain compliance for the creation of VAT groups, corrections in tax, and special cases such as government grants and TOGC (transfer of going concern).
Companies have 180 days to catch up. Finance and legal departments must move quickly to learn about and react to the changes.
๐ ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐
Walmart-backed Flipkart is shifting its holding company from Singapore to India in preparation for an IPO. The move comes on the heels of a wave of Indian unicornsโPhonePe, Razorpay, Zeptoโflying back home for more favorable domestic listing prospects.
A return that betrays faith in India’s capital markets and regulatory changes.
