UAE launches first online shopping initiative to support SMEs

Dubai Economy Solutions (DES) has launched a new e-commerce platform to facilitate small and medium businesses (SME) to sell their products online.

Via the DubaiStore portal, DES – a joint venture between technology consulting firm emaratech and the Department of Economic Development of Dubai – will offer SMEs a level playing field with big e-commerce players to increase their market share in the online space.

The e-commerce platform will facilitate the online sales of products offered by UAE-licensed home businesses, SMEs and large companies.

Customers can currently order electronics, beauty and fragrance, home and kitchen products, baby and kids products and fashion accessories through the portal with more categories to be added at a later stage, a statement said.

DubaiStore will primarily promote local licensed businesses with no conflict of interest as it neither sells nor owns any product of its own.

The portal will aid merchants in selling their products by granting necessary tools to easily on-board their products and manage their store.

Shoppers would be required to register details, browse a catalogue and order their products by paying either by credit card, noqodi Digital Wallet or cash-on-delivery.

DubaiStore will facilitate pick up and delivery via its own courier company while customers are given the option of a free 15-day return facility.

“DubaiStore is a true example of DES and the government’s local contribution in accelerating the strategic plans and smart government initiatives aiming at digital transformation in Dubai,” said Abdallah Hassan Ahmed Hassan, CEO of Digital Economy Solutions (DES).

“Our objective is to offer a business model that increases a healthy competition in the market for the benefit of the e-commerce world, while maintaining the best environment for safe and trusted shopping,” he said.

emaratech is part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, and offers high end market strategies, outsourced technology and advanced business information technology solutions for private and public sectors, the statement said.