eCommerce and internet market size in Kuwait & MENA Region

The estimated population of Kuwait is 4.04 million and approx. 3.2 million internet users currently. The main source of income for the Kuwaiti economy is petroleum products. But there is lots of potential for eCommerce businesses there because there are lots of eCommerce money spenders, who do the online shopping for electronics, fashion, apparels, accessories, and anything that can be ordered online.

The entire MENA region is a very vast market for eCommerce. It includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Talabat, Souq, Namshi are the big players who aggressively acquiring this prime market.

The eCommerce market in the Middle East touched $39 billion in 2015 and this year transactions are expected to pass $45 billion. Globally the sector is worth an estimated $1.7 trillion.

Saudi Arabia is also a land of online marketing opportunities. KSA has 32 million population (June 2016) and out of this, 20 million is internet users with 65.7% penetration. There is very high demand for online goods, services etc. Saudi Arabia having 14 million on facebook with 43.5% penetration. There is huge online growth in Saudi Arabia in upcoming years.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Egypt are leading countries in MENA region in case of e-commerce market and UAE is just close behind these countries. UAE has a highest internet penetration rate.

Souq.com is the local leader in MENA Region in eCommerce market and global players like Amazon.com,Aliexpress.com, and eBay.com also having a nice presence in MENA region.

UAE, KSA, Egypt & Kuwait are the top Arab countries in eCommerce sector. 

Top Shopping E-Commerce Web Sites in MENA Region

  • UAE: Souq, Amazon, Apple Store, Groupon, Namshi
  • KSA: Souq, eBay, Ali Express, AliBaba
  • Egypt: Souq, Jumia, AliBaba, Amazon
  • Kuwait: Talabat, X-Cite, Souq, Amazon.com

Gender Ratio

Male dominance in online buying in MENA region in general including Egypt, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. While it’s almost equal ration of male and female online shoppers in the UAE.

 

Top Products & Services consumers buy online:

  • Airline Tickets
  • Hotel Reservations & Tours
  • Events Tickets
  • Electronics
  • Books
  • Fashion – Clothes & Shoes
  • Toys & Video Games

 

Online Shoppers by Age and Gender

52-53% of shoppers who are older than 26 shop online

Age in Years % of Target Audience
35+ 53%
26-35 52%
16-25 41%
Less than 16 31%

 

Gender % of Target Audience
Male 68%
Female 32%

 

Most Popular Online Shopping Categories

Shopping categories % of Target Audience
Online Games 41%
Computer Software 31%
Electronics 28%
Clothes 17%
Entertainment 15%
Accessories 14%
Books & Magazines 13%
Home Appliances 11%
Beauty & Health 8%

 

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