Cross-border e-commerce: navigating the middle east market - exclusive offline insight session · guangzhou

Shoplazza, in partnership with Middle East logistics specialist Dealfy and joined by executives from cross-border platform Fordeal and SaleSmartly's leadership, successfully concluded its "Going Abroad in the Middle East Private Event" on June 16th in Tianhe District, Guangzhou. The gathering delved into current trends and realities of the Middle Eastern market, sharing insights and strategies for establishing a robust presence in this thriving region.

Let's revisit the highlights:

Shoplazza’s take: the blossoming middle east market and COD best practices

Kicking off the event, Shoplazza Plus Solution Expert Viola shed light on the booming landscape of independent e-commerce in the Middle East. Highlighting favorable policies, infrastructure advancements, and international cooperation as key factors – a perfect storm of "opportune times, favorable geography, and human harmony," she noted that the region boasts a USD 200 billion e-commerce market yet to be fully tapped. With GCC countries' e-commerce sector expanding at a staggering 33% annually, Viola emphasized that now is prime time to venture into the Middle East. Shoplazza introduced a tailored solution combining independent sites with Cash on Delivery (COD), acknowledging local payment preferences. This includes COD-optimized site themes to streamline transactions and boost conversion rates, alongside localized marketing strategies for enhanced engagement.

Fordeal’s insights: a consumer-centric approach to navigating the middle east

Fordeal's executive, Zhao Xin, shared real-world strategies for succeeding in the Middle East. Central to Fordeal's growth is a data-driven R&D team meticulously analyzing consumer profiles and optimizing logistics. By leveraging data insights, they've crafted localized strategies resonating deeply with Middle Eastern consumers.

Dealfy’s perspective: overcoming cod collection challenges in the middle east

Addressing Middle Eastern logistics complexities, Dealfy co-founder Chuanliu underscored the hurdles and remedies for COD fulfillment. He emphasized that a purchase order represents intent, while successful delivery marks the true completion of a transaction—a process influenced by product category, demographics, pricing, risk control, and address accuracy. Dealfy combats these challenges with integrated warehousing and distribution, last-mile delivery optimization, and proactive follow-ups to enhance collection rates.

Salesmartly’s strategy: harnessing whatsapp for middle eastern private domain operations

Given WhatsApp's dominance in the region, SaleSmartly's project lead Zeng Xiongjia discussed leveraging the platform for private domain marketing. With high penetration, open rates, and user numbers, WhatsApp serves as an ideal tool for nurturing direct customer relationships. The transition from public domain traffic (such as from ads or independent sites) to private via incentives like coupons fosters personalized management and targeted marketing through the app.

Event recap

This comprehensive event peeled back layers of the evolving Middle Eastern market, offering actionable solutions, sharing success stories, and facilitating valuable connections. Remaining steadfast in its commitment to empowering merchants with expert guidance, the gathering aimed to propel businesses towards global success, arming them with fresh perspectives and practical wisdom for the dynamic Middle Eastern frontier.