The UAE has solidified its position as the global leader in mobile shopping, with 67% of consumers using smartphones for their most recent purchases, surpassing other tech-savvy markets such as Saudi Arabia (66%) and Singapore (65%). This notable achievement is highlighted in the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index, which underscores the country’s dominance in digital retail engagement driven by factors such as convenience, security, and seamless omnichannel experiences.
Since 2022, smartphone usage for retail purchases in the UAE has surged by 23%, reflecting growing consumer demand for easy and secure shopping options across both online and in-store environments. The UAE also leads globally in online purchases made via mobile devices, with 37% of transactions occurring on smartphones, according to the survey commissioned by Visa Acceptance Solutions and conducted by PYMNTS Intelligence. The study collected insights from 1,679 consumers and 329 merchants across eight international markets between October and December 2024.
Mobile shopping has extended beyond e-commerce websites to significantly enhance the in-store experience. A striking 73% of UAE consumers reported using their phones in physical stores to compare prices, search for coupons, or collect loyalty rewards. This behavior reflects an increasing comfort with blended retail journeys, where mobile devices serve as powerful shopping assistants bridging the digital and physical retail worlds.
When analyzing generational trends, millennials lead mobile shopping adoption with a high rate of 73%, making them the most engaged age group in the UAE. Interestingly, Generation X surpasses Generation Z in mobile shopping reliance, indicating an established consumer base that values mobile convenience. In contrast, adoption rates among baby boomers and seniors remain much lower, with only 18% of those age groups using smartphones for their latest purchase.
Security and ease of use are pivotal drivers behind the UAE’s strong mobile shopping growth. Around 32% of consumers employed biometric authentication methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition in their latest online transactions—nearly double the global average—highlighting high consumer trust in mobile security technologies. Additionally, one-third of shoppers opted for one-click checkout via third-party platforms, a figure significantly higher than the global average of 17%, demonstrating a preference for streamlined payment experiences.
Cross-channel shopping is gaining momentum in the UAE, with consumers and businesses increasingly embracing features that enable smooth transitions between online and offline retail environments. The study revealed that 53% of UAE shoppers already use or express interest in using cross-channel shopping functionalities. On the merchant side, 56% currently offer such options, while another 28% plan to implement them in the near future. This alignment between consumer expectations and retailer capabilities further strengthens the UAE’s leadership in digital commerce innovation.
Daily shopping habits also emphasize mobile’s central role in the retail experience. UAE consumers engage in an average of 1.5 mobile shopping activities per day, second only to Saudi Arabia in the region. They use mobile devices for product research on average 17 days each month, consistently preferring smartphones over computers for all digital shopping tasks.
Overall, the UAE’s surge in mobile shopping reflects a digitally savvy population, advanced infrastructure, and a retail ecosystem that prioritizes convenience, security, and omnichannel integration—setting a global benchmark in digital retail engagement and innovation.
