Amazon(US:AMZN) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-06-02 16:45Core Insights - The Middle East is emerging as a strategic market for Chinese cross-border e-commerce, with a population of 500 million and an internet penetration rate of 58.7%, but only 3.6% of retail transactions are conducted online, indicating significant growth potential [1][21][22] - In 2023, the e-commerce scale in the Middle East reached $29 billion, growing by 11.8% year-on-year, driven by a young population and supportive policies [1][22] - The market is characterized by high potential and high barriers, with logistics costs being a major challenge, accounting for 20%-30% of order totals, significantly higher than in China [2][24] Market Characteristics - The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have high internet penetration rates, exceeding 95%, yet consumers still prefer offline shopping, creating opportunities for new entrants [2][21] - Logistics challenges include high costs and difficulties in last-mile delivery due to a lack of standardized addressing systems [2][24] - Payment habits are unique, with cash on delivery accounting for over 50% of transactions, while credit card usage is low; however, the "buy now, pay later" model is rapidly gaining traction [3][42] Competitive Landscape - The e-commerce landscape in the Middle East is dominated by three main players: global giants like Amazon, local forces like Noon, and Chinese platforms such as AliExpress and SHEIN [4][38] - Amazon solidified its position by acquiring local platform Souq in 2017, now holding a market share of 25% in the UAE and 16% in Saudi Arabia [4][38] - Noon, backed by local real estate giants and sovereign funds, has rapidly grown to become the second-largest platform, leveraging a fast delivery network [5][39] - Chinese platforms are innovating across the supply chain, with AliExpress reducing delivery times from 30 days to 12 days and SHEIN focusing on high-demand fashion items [6][38] Key Drivers for Success - Logistics and payment innovations are critical for overcoming infrastructure bottlenecks, with companies like Noon and AliExpress establishing large warehouses and enhancing local delivery capabilities [7][38] - The Chinese government is supporting cross-border e-commerce through policies aimed at reducing export costs and facilitating overseas warehouse construction [8][31] Future Trends - The rise of social commerce is notable, with Middle Eastern users spending an average of 3.5 hours daily on social media, and platforms like TikTok Shop gaining traction [10][39] - Full-service models are becoming more common, allowing platforms to manage logistics and after-sales services, thus lowering operational barriers for sellers [10][42] - The Middle East e-commerce market is transitioning from a "blue ocean" to a "hot land," with significant competition expected in the coming years as logistics and payment systems improve [10][31]