Digital transaction value exceeds US$ 60bn in the UAE
A double-digit growth in digital transaction value exceeding US$ 60.20bn (AED 220.93bn) in 2025 in the UAE, has inspired Dubai-based Blue Ocean Global, one of the largest distribution houses in the UAE, to transform itself into an E-Commerce distribution company by exiting the offline distribution in recent months.
The number of retail transactions under the UAE Funds Transfer System (UAEFTS) grew 22.57 per cent to 109.7mn transactions worth AED 7.4tn (US$ 2tn) in 2024, which is 20.63 per cent higher in value compared to the previous year, according to the UAE Central Bank. This shows a clear shift in the UAE consumers’ choice towards digital and E-Commerce platforms when purchasing goods.
The Blue Ocean Global Group, which represents more than 30 plus regional and global blue-chip brands, has exited its off-line distribution to shift its focus totally on E-Commerce business platforms, which is growing at an exponential rate over the last few years. This has been inspired by the growing consumer shift towards online shopping.
Transforming business
“As the market shifts towards E-Commerce and online sales, we have also transformed our business to become completely technology-enabled E-Commerce distribution company,” stated Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman, Blue Ocean Global Group.
The Blue Ocean Global Group has over the last few years, strengthened its supply chain management to make the Business-to-Business more agile and ready for faster delivery of products that helped its transition to the digital-focused distribution.
“The introduction of the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Machine Learning is transforming the business environment and our lives, and we need to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution and evolve with it,” concluded Rohit Savara CEO, Blue Ocean Global Group.
