Last year, the retail sector in UAE was worth USD 30.17 billion, and by 2029, it is expected to grow at a 6.2% rate. A wide array of products, the easy availability of international and luxury brands, and a fast-growing economy are some of the key reasons driving this retail boom. Moreover, retail businesses of all kinds, whether they are dealing in textiles, jewelry, electronics, furniture, or décor accents, are increasingly shifting to the digital space. Besides the widespread penetration of internet and mobile devices, the emergence of tech-savvy and young customers is a major reason behind this. In fact, by 2025, the ecommerce market in UAE is poised to hit the USD 17 billion mark.

So, in such a scenario, it is not enough to just take your retail business online. You need to stay competitive as well. And offering financial flexibility to shoppers is a smart way to do the same. This brings us to the concept of installment payment, which enables customers to pay off the total bill in parts over a span of a few months instead of paying it all in one go. Since such installment plans are often interest-free, shoppers can easily make purchases without stressing about any additional burden caused by delayed payment. Now, let’s find out how installment payment schemes are benefiting the retail sector in UAE.

Installment Payments are Revolutionizing the Retail Landscape

As a modern retail merchant, you surely understand how consumer behavior has evolved with the advent of online transactions. Like everywhere else in the world, shoppers in UAE are looking for simple, fast, and secure ways to buy everything from necessities to luxuries. And with a reliable and efficient online payment gateway, you can ensure that too. However, introducing installment payments can add to the customer experience and benefit your business in multiple ways:

1. Higher Order Value

The installment payment option allows consumers to shop for more than they initially planned or thought they could afford. For instance, if they were planning on only buying sleepwear, they might end up adding expensive party dresses to the cart once they realize they don’t have to make the entire payment upfront. Hence, your sales and revenue will increase. Installment payment can especially help you get bigger orders during the festive season when people tend to shop more for their own needs and loved ones.

2. More Conversions

Very often, those who visit your website or explore your offerings might have a tough time deciding whether they should actually make a purchase. They might be worried about impacting their monthly budget and can even abandon carts after adding a number of items to the same. However, if you offer an installments payment option, potential customers will know that even if their current paycheck can’t afford it all, they will be able to repay gradually with the next few months’ paychecks. This will give them the confidence to check out or transition from the consideration to the decision stage.

3. Expanded Customer Base

If you have studied recent shopping trends, you might have noticed how millennials and Gen Z consumers prefer buying retail products online and aspire to own branded and even luxury pieces. However, those who have started working recently or get a fixed allowance from parents might not be able to afford pricey items in one go. By allowing them to pay in installments, you can make it easy for such shoppers to own their favorite pair of sports shoes, watch, smartphone, or handbag. Even those who hesitated to buy from you before will now flock to you, thereby expanding your customer base. The same idea holds true for retired consumers or senior citizens living on a fixed income.

4. Greater Probability of Repeat Purchase

To thrive and grow in the retail sector, you must encourage customers to shop from you repeatedly and not just once. And that will be easy with installments payment. Once they realize how easy and frictionless it is to buy even high-end or limited edition products from you, they will keep coming back for more.

5. Better Brand Image

By offering financial flexibility through installment payment, you can earn your customers’ trust and confidence. They will view you as a progressive business that keeps up with their changing needs and spread the word as well. Naturally, this will lead to better brand awareness and create a positive impression in the minds of those who are yet to consider or buy your products. Your base of loyalists will also grow.

6. Easy Scalability

If you are planning to foray into new markets or geographies, offering the installment payment option is a great way to go about it. Everyone likes having choice and flexibility, irrespective of location, and by simplifying payments, you can win over potential customers wherever you go. This is especially important if you are selling big-ticket items like air conditioners, gold jewelry, designer clothes and shoes, or bespoke furniture.

7. Competitive Edge

Say, both you and a competitor brand offer smart devices. However, while you offer an instalment scheme, your competitor requires total upfront payment. Where do you think consumers will go? They will undoubtedly come to you, assuming both of you are equally popular, have the same range of products, and a similar pricing structure.

8. Immediate Crediting of Funds

With installments payment, your account is immediately credited with the total bill amount though the customer has the freedom to make part payments over a convenient period of time. This means, you don’t have to wait for them to pay off the entire bill so that you can get what is due to you.

Take Your Retail Business to New Heights with Installment Payment

As a forward-thinking retailer in UAE, offering financial flexibility through installment payments is the key to attracting attention, earning customer goodwill, driving more conversions, raking in more revenue, and growing your business fast. Just make sure you choose an online payment gateway from a provider like PayTabs, so that it supports this payment model and facilitates a smooth and hassle-free checkout experience. Assess the nature of your business and its distinct needs before picking a gateway that aligns with your budget as well.

Eid al-Fitr, an auspicious and joyous occasion in the Middle East, marks the end of Ramadan and revolves around prayers, feasts, celebration with loved ones, and exchange of gifts. Naturally, people shop more than usual during this time. In fact, 81% of UAE residents are excited about special Ramadan editions offered by brands in 2024 compared to 76% in 2023. Also, this year, 69% feel that the month of Ramadan is ideal for new purchases, compared to 64% in 2023. Compared to last year, a greater proportion of residents are also exhibiting preference for quick payments.

Hence, as a merchant, smart strategizing can help you make the most of increased consumer demand and boost Eid sales revenue generation. For this, you need to join hands with a reputed payment gateway platform and take a few other steps, as outlined below.

Tips to Sell More during Eid

It goes without saying that Middle Eastern consumers seek special and often high-end products during Eid. So, you need to showcase an attractive collection as an ecommerce business. Additionally, you can:

1. Offer Payment Flexibility

Eid holidays are perfect for reaching out to as many demographics as possible. However, it is not enough for them to like your products. They must buy them too. And since the payment stage is crucial here, offer ample flexibility and choice. For instance, while senior citizens might want to pay with cash on delivery or cards, Gen Z customers might be more inclined towards digital wallets or payment links. Either way, they should be able to find and use their most preferred method. A reliable payment gateway platform like PayTabs can support multiple payment modes, thereby improving sales and revenue.

2. Ease the Purchase of Expensive Items

Another way to drive Eid sales revenue generation is by offering a buy now pay later (BNPL) or instalment payment option. Choose a payment gateway provider that supports the same, so that shoppers purchase more than what they can afford and pay off the bill conveniently. The best part is that you will get paid in full immediately. Instalment payment will enable consumers to make more big-ticket purchases like electronics, jewelry, furniture, luxury apparels, etc. This, in turn, will boost your revenue and create a favorable impression in the minds of your target audience.

3. Simplify Checkout

Integrating your website or mobile app with the right payment gateway can ease checkout for customers. Payment requests will be processed and approved quickly, which will enhance shopper satisfaction. You can offer autofill options too, so that customers don’t have to submit the same details repeatedly for every purchase. Both customer information and transactions will be secure against cyberattacks as well. All of this will help you earn consumer trust and save their time during festivities. There will be fewer instances of cart abandonment and the rate of conversion will spike, thereby increasing sales and revenue.

4. Leverage Offers and Discounts

Eid is the perfect time to draw consumers through attractive bundle deals, discounts, gift cards, and offers valid for a short time. You can also provide discount codes at the time of checkout, so that shoppers can save at the last moment. Organize fun competitions, contests, and giveaways too, so that customers have fun while saving money. This way, you can encourage them to spread the word about your brand and products, thereby bringing in more website traffic.

5. Promote Smartly

To boost Eid sales revenue generation, incorporate festive symbols in all website pages and revise banners to set a special mood for shopping. You can opt for customized logos too. Send personalized and celebratory messages via emails and messaging apps, including offers and deals. Make the most of social media to promote your Eid collection, sales news, contests, and such. You can ask customers to share their favorite festive moment that involves using your product. Craft videos and blogs related to Eid, to fuel excitement in potential shoppers.

6. Collaborate with Influencers

Join hands with content creators or influencers whose values align with your brand, so they can post about your products and drive awareness as well as sales. Consumers are more likely to trust the words of someone they admire and follow than just what your brand claims. You can invite influencers to festive events, send them themed gifts, or organize a giveaway together.

Welcome Prosperity This Eid

As Eid is just around the corner, start implementing the above strategies and pave the way for greater revenue. Don’t forget to connect with a leading payment gateway provider like PayTabs, so that everything related to payments is smooth and efficient. This way, you can also analyze important data and derive actionable insights. With the right provider, it is easy to pick a plan that is tailor-made for your business and pay for it affordably. Have a Happy Eid!

The ecommerce market size in the UAE is ready to hit an impressive worth of USD 17 billion by 2025. This boom is backed by the high penetration of mobile devices, tech-savvy consumers, and the flexibility and convenience being offered by future-ready merchants. For instance, consumers today can choose from various ecommerce payment methods based on their preference and comfort. This helps them feel in control and trust the business, thereby encouraging repeat purchases.

Offering multiple ecommerce payment options as a merchant helps you attract previously untapped demographics and reduce cart abandonment. This means more conversions and sales. Plus, when shoppers get to use their favorite payment method, they perceive your brand as high-value and refer it to others. Also, if you wish to foray into new geographies, offering different local payment methods means you can earn customer confidence, ease checkout, and accept payments efficiently and easily.

However, before deciding which online payment methods to embrace, understand the pros and cons of each from the perspective of both merchants and customers.

Debit and Credit Cards

Both cards require the shopper to input similar information while checking out and are widely used ecommerce payment methods in the UAE. However, while credit cards allow customers to spend more than what they can afford, debit cards are limited by the money available in the customer’s bank account.

Pros

• These cards are accepted by practically all online transaction platforms and merchants.
• While debit cards facilitate direct spending from the bank account, credit cards allow purchases on credit.
• Card companies secure both customers and merchants by employing strong fraud protection measures.

Cons

• Credit cards are one of those online payment methods that are still vulnerable to scams involving unauthorized charges, despite security measures.
• Merchants often deal with hefty fees charged by credit card companies, which might impact consumers too.

Digital Wallets

Among electronic payment solutions, digital wallets are gaining in popularity in the UAE. In fact, it is poised to grow at a 12.12% rate till 2028. The widespread adoption of smartphones has boosted the use of wallets, which store payment details safely and help complete transactions easily.

Pros

• There is no need to submit payment information repeatedly.
• User data is protected by advanced authentication and encryption mechanisms.
• Checkout is hassle-free, owing to fast transaction processing.

Cons

• Certain instances of data breaches have raised concerns with safety.
• Digital wallets, as electronic payment solutions, are not accepted by all merchants.

Bank Transfers

This is one of the commonly-used digital payment methods where customers can directly transfer money from their bank account to that of the merchant’s. These transactions are usually reliable.

Pros

• Fees involved are lower vis-à-vis credit card transactions.
• Lack of intermediaries means ample transparency.
• Bank transfers work well across borders and there are zero fees for currency conversion.

Cons

• It can take a number of days for transfers to get cleared.
• Delay in processing means merchants don’t receive funds immediately.

Mobile Payments

Counted among the popular digital payment methods, mobile payments enable shoppers to pay via their mobile devices. This can involve the use of QR codes, near-field communication, or voice commands.

Pros

• Customers can pay easily with a single scan or tap.
• Merchants in the UAE are increasingly adopting it.
• Customer payment details are encrypted to prevent fraud attacks.

Cons

• Fees charged for facilitating transactions might be high.
• Customers need smartphones and relevant apps to make payments.

Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL)

Leading online transaction platforms are offering BNPL in the UAE to ensure more flexibility for shoppers, so they can pay in affordable installments.

Pros

• Consumers can own even expensive items without hurting their budget.
• One of those ecommerce payment methods where the checkout is simple and devoid of complicated credit checks.
• Merchants can drive more conversions.

Cons

• Customers might overspend and have to deal with unnecessary debt.
• Regulations might not always be stringent.

Cash on Delivery (COD)

Among the different ecommerce payment options, COD is popular among customers who want to confirm an order’s accuracy or quality before shelling out money. However, the methods discussed above are gradually winning over cash, owing to convenience and flexibility.

Pros

• Favored by shoppers who aren’t tech-savvy or confident about digital payments.
• COD is apt for those who lack access to bank accounts.
• The risk of paying for an incorrect or damaged product is reduced.

Cons

• COD poses risk to merchants in case customers don’t pay.
• Merchants might have to bear higher delivery fees.

 Selecting the Right Payment Methods

Both merchants and consumers in the UAE are increasingly appreciating the importance of ecommerce. Hence, consider the following factors before picking payment systems, whether you wish to capitalize on the advantages of B2B ecommerce or B2C:

• Understand your target audience and assess the preferences of different demographics for improved customer experience and conversion.
• Consider the complexity of your business and industry, which will determine the level of security you need in a payment system.
• Account for cultural and regional variations to build trust and conduct transactions smoothly.
• Choose payment methods based on convenience and processing speed for greater customer satisfaction.
• Check if the payment system comes with the latest authentication and encryption mechanisms.
• Payment systems optimized for mobile devices are ideal for quick transactions.
• Consider transaction costs and processing fees to reap decent profits.
• The payment system should offer hassle-free checkout for enhanced customer loyalty.
• Innovative payment options can attract tech-savvy shoppers.
• Pick methods that comply with the regulatory landscape.
• Select payment methods that can be easily integrated with your website, mobile app, and existing infrastructure.

Join hands with an online payment gateway service provider like PayTabs to offer your customers a variety of ecommerce payment options and accept payments safely, quickly, and efficiently. PayTabs’ orchestration services can also ease and automate payment routing to boost the processing success rate.

FAQs

1.  What are the payment methods for ecommerce?

Common payment methods include mobile payments, debit and credit cards, digital wallets, buy now pay later models, bank transfers, and cash on delivery.

2. What is the payment process for ecommerce?

Once a customer provides payment details on your ecommerce site, an online payment gateway opens up. The payment information is encrypted and conveyed to the payment processor by the gateway. The processor verifies the payment details and approves or rejects the transaction, signaling the gateway accordingly. The gateway passes on that result to your site, for the customer to view. If the transaction is authorized, your account gets credited.

Running a successful business in the Middle East largely depends on how smooth, seamless, safe, and efficient you can make your customer’s experience. And offering payment flexibility can go a long way in ensuring the same. By allowing shoppers to make installment payments, you can improve their satisfaction while securing your own revenue. In fact, the buy now pay later (BNPL) model is gaining increasing popularity in the region due to a surge in ecommerce and the widespread usage of mobile devices for payments and banking. In KSA and UAE, internet penetration is close to 100%.

Moreover, according to a Deloitte report, since BNPL complies with Sharia law, Middle Eastern consumers are more comfortable about adopting it vis-à-vis credit cards. By 2028, the total addressable market for BNPL is likely to reach USD 3 billion in KSA. So, the time is right for you to grow your venture through payment flexibility. The following write-up explores the advantages of paying in installments for consumers as well as business owners like you.

Why Customers want to Pay in Installments

Listed here are the key benefits of installment payments for consumers:

• Easy Budgeting – Being able to pay in installments allows customers to manage their monthly budget better. They can spend on what they want without having to compromise on rent, essentials, or utility bills. This is particularly helpful for young shoppers, homemakers, or those who have retired.
• Saving for Emergencies – Installment payments allow consumers to protect their cash reserves and avoid exhausting everything in one go. This means, they can always set aside some money for rainy days or unforeseen events.
• Buying Premium Items – Paying in installments gives customers the power to own limited edition or expensive items that they would have foregone if they had to pay in full at once. By spreading out the total amount over several months, it becomes easy to afford designer clothes, jewelry, accessories, sophisticated gadgets, and more.
• Flexibility – With an installment or BNPL model, paying in incremental amounts is another benefit. Hence, if their situation permits (for example, if they receive a bonus at work or earn good returns on an investment), customers can pay off more with each installment and become debt-free fast.

Benefits of Installment Payment Plans for Merchants

By offering consumers installment payment flexibility, you can benefit in the following ways:

• Better Shopping Experience – When you provide customers an installments payment system on your e-store, they end up purchasing what they want without worrying about the total bill value. There are fewer instances of cart abandonment and shoppers appreciate the flexibility you offer them, which improves their trust and confidence in your brand.
• Improved Conversion Rate – The option to pay in installments encourages more site visitors to transition from the consideration to the purchase stage. And higher the conversion rate, the more sales you make.
• Higher Average Order Value – Customers manage to buy pricey items and spend more than usual with installment payments. Even strictly budget shoppers can buy what they desire affordably. This boosts the average order value, and consequently, your total revenue.
• Widened Consumer Base – Providing the option of installment payments also helps in expanding the base of customers by attracting those who probably hesitated to shop from your store before, owing to the pricing. You get to tap demographics like millennials and Gen Z shoppers.
• Upfront Payment – Offering the installment purchasing feature doesn’t impact your cash flow negatively, since you receive upfront payment from the customer’s bank. This means, you don’t have to compromise on your financial stability as a business while enhancing the customer experience.
• Enhanced Customer Loyalty – Since the installment financing feature eases the customer’s journey on your ecommerce store, they tend to refer your brand to others and keep coming back themselves for more shopping in the future. In the long run, this pattern improves retention and loyalty.

Make the Most of Installment Payment Plans

By now, you can see why embracing installment payment is the way to go for modern businesses. Besides offering more flexibility to consumers, such payment plans empower them to own the products they want and live a better life than what their immediate financial circumstances permit. As a merchant, you get to benefit from improved brand image, higher conversions, more sales and revenue, and an enhanced bottom line. If you are wondering how to get started, picking an online payment gateway like PayTabs can make your life easy. Integrating it with your website and app can take your customer’s checkout experience to a whole new level, while ensuring you receive payments on time, securely, and without any hassle.

FAQs

1. What are the advantages of paying in installments?

As a customer, making installment payments helps you to enjoy flexibility, buy what you want without worrying about money, own even premium products right away, manage your budget easily, and keep aside emergency cash. As a merchant, when you allow customers to pay in installments, it improves their shopping experience, gains their trust, drives more conversions, and boosts loyalty in the long run.

2. Are installment payments available for all purchases?

Installment financing might be available on all or some purchases, depending on the type and size of business, their policies, and nature and price of the product. Usually, most merchants offer the installment payment option for electronics, furniture, high-end jewelry, clothes, fashion accessories, vehicles, etc.

3. Can I pay off my installment plan early?

Yes, usually you can pay off your installment plan early by clearing any remaining balance. However, check if there are any penalties or fees associated with such payments. It is generally a good idea to use any extra money you have to pay off a purchase completely and become debt-free soon.

The blessed month of Ramadan is just around the corner and the Middle East is ready to step into another festive season of praying, fasting, and engaging in charitable acts. Ramadan is also when people shop more, be it clothes, home décor items, groceries, or gift hampers. Hence, as a merchant, you must make your customer’s experience seamless to earn their trust, build brand value, and attract repeat business. And since checkout is a crucial part of the shopping journey, you need the smartest payment solutions during Ramadan to make transactions safe, efficient, and fast. Luckily, PayTabs can help.

By integrating PayTabs with your e-store or mobile application, you can offer customers ample choice and flexibility in payment. They can pick from multiple methods and currencies, meaning you can sell across the Middle East and anywhere else. PayTabs’ payment orchestration services can also handle large transaction volumes and improve the payment acceptance rate, which means greater customer satisfaction. Now, let’s explore the challenges merchants face during Ramadan and how payment gateway providers make life easy.

Common Retail Challenges

While consumer demand spikes during the holy month, retailers grapple with:

• Overwhelming traffic – Both offline and online stores deal with excess traffic, which poses a high risk of cart abandonment whether shoppers have to stand in long queues or your website is unable to handle large transaction volumes. In either case, customers might get frustrated and decide against checkout.
• Limited options for payment – Long gone are those days when cash payment was the norm. Today, unless you provide ample options, in the form of cards, digital wallets, internet banking, and such, you might lose a lot of business.
• Delayed fund credit – Since banks often operate for limited hours during Ramadan or stay closed on certain days, accepting payments the traditional way (like checks or demand drafts) might mean that funds will take time to get credited in your account.
• Inefficient invoicing – Not sharing correct invoices or not sending them on time might lead to customer dissatisfaction, delayed payments, and poor cash flow.

So, how can payment gateways transform the Ramadan experience for merchants in different sectors?

Booking

Many people visit families or plan holidays during the holy month. Hence, companies offering flight and hotel bookings or travel packages need to accept payments without hassle. A payment gateway provider like PayTabs can make transactions smooth, whether you have people from the Middle East travelling abroad or foreign nationals visiting the Middle East for a unique experience. Even if your website sells tickets to movies, theaters, or sports events, you will find the demand surging as more people want to relax in the evening after hours of fasting. With the right gateway, you can handle this increased demand, route payments to suitable processors, and improve sales.

Retail

Retail shopping witnesses a sharp uptick during Ramadan. Whether you sell apparel, accessories, cosmetics, or appliances, you need a payment solution that can cater to customers any time of the day. Integrating PayTabs with your app or website can do the trick as shoppers can make purchases even late at night or during early morning hours. Being able to make digital payments securely and easily also means they can stay home and focus on praying, fasting, and spending time with loved ones. In case of luxury goods, shoppers can even opt for instalment payment.

Food

Whether you run a restaurant, home delivery service, or grocery store, you are likely to experience increased demand during the holy month. After all, in the Middle East, Iftar and Suhoor meals are usually lavish affairs. Hence, to make sure you don’t lose a single customer, you need the best digital payment solutions during Ramadan. For instance, PayTabs can ease the checkout process in the food industry by minimizing errors even during rush hours. You can also send customers invoices with payment links so they can do the needful from their mobile devices.

Charity

Donating to the needy is an integral part of Ramadan celebrations. So, if you are in charge of an Islamic center, charitable trust, or mosque, you would want to make it easy for people to make donations even if they can’t visit you. With PayTabs, you can enable donors to make payments via any method they like and track it all as well. Since such payment gateways support multiple currencies, you can accept donations even from those who are situated in distant parts of the world.

Have a Bountiful Ramadan

As you gear up for Ramadan 2024, make life easy for yourself and customers by joining hands with a payment gateway provider like PayTabs. Simple onboarding and budget-friendly fee structures will help you get started in no time. Promote happiness and goodness by offering a glitch-free shopping experience in the Middle East and beyond.