Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman of Blue Ocean Global Group. PC: Zawya Market Growth and Trends The e-commerce market in the UAE should continue to thrive, growing at an expected revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.39% from US$33.97 billion (Dh125 billion) in 2025 to US$46.88 billion (Dh 172 billion) by 2028. At the same time, digital payments are expected to generally develop in the region at a CAGR of 13.8%, which is projected to go up from US$80.37 billion (Dh295 billion) in 2025 to US$134.8 billion (Dh 495 billion) in 2029. In 2023, the Central Bank of the UAE processed 334.3 million payment transactions worth Dh19.2 trillion (US$5.23 trillion), a 20% increase compared to 2022. Furthermore, more than 65% of the country's population, equating to about 6.5 million people, engaged in online shopping in 2023, a noteworthy shift in consumer behavior towards digital channels. Expansion of Blue Ocean Global Group Consequently, Blue Ocean Global Group, a leader in the distribution of electronic appliances and consumer goods based in Dubai, has notably bolstered its e-commerce and online distribution channels. Its online operations now account for over 80% of the company's top line revenue, reflecting the growing penetration of digital platforms into its business model. Blue Ocean Global has also made a very strong position in Saudi Arabia to capitalize on the economic diversification and high consumer spending of the country. "The switch to online distribution is very understandable in line with how the market has grown up. We are now looking to expand into further GCC markets, especially Saudi Arabia, where we see massive growth opportunities," said Rohit Savara, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Group. Changing Consumer Behavior Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman of Blue Ocean Global Group, pointed out how consumers in the UAE are increasingly preferring online shopping. "Consumers in the UAE order their household needs online primarily because of the convenience provided through fast delivery, easy payments, transparency, and meeting customer convenience," said Ahmed. The group has derived much growth and expansion for household appliances, telecom, electronics, and related products through online platforms. The trend toward e-commerce got a boost in the COVID-19 pandemic, and that surge has continued, with the UAE emerging as the regional leader in online commerce. Brand Portfolio and Regional Reach Founded in 2013 and based in Dubai, Blue Ocean Global is one of the largest online distributors in the Middle East. It has commercialized and distributed brands like NEC, Mitel, Gigaset, Black + Decker, Kodak, Toshiba, Godrej, and Philips globally. Operating through sales channels of e-commerce, B2B, and regional distribution, the group provides customer service in over 40 countries, including the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. As e-commerce and digital payments continue to grow in the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council regions, companies like Blue Ocean Global are keeping themselves strategically well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, further driving innovation and convenience in online shopping.

Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman of Blue Ocean Global Group. 

PC: Zawya

Market Growth and Trends  

The e-commerce market in the UAE should continue to thrive, growing at an expected revenue compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.39% from US$33.97 billion (Dh125 billion) in 2025 to US$46.88 billion (Dh 172 billion) by 2028. At the same time, digital payments are expected to generally develop in the region at a CAGR of 13.8%, which is projected to go up from US$80.37 billion (Dh295 billion) in 2025 to US$134.8 billion (Dh 495 billion) in 2029.  

In 2023, the Central Bank of the UAE processed 334.3 million payment transactions worth Dh19.2 trillion (US$5.23 trillion), a 20% increase compared to 2022. Furthermore, more than 65% of the country’s population, equating to about 6.5 million people, engaged in online shopping in 2023, a noteworthy shift in consumer behavior towards digital channels.  

Expansion of Blue Ocean Global Group  

Consequently, Blue Ocean Global Group, a leader in the distribution of electronic appliances and consumer goods based in Dubai, has notably bolstered its e-commerce and online distribution channels. Its online operations now account for over 80% of the company’s top line revenue, reflecting the growing penetration of digital platforms into its business model.  

Blue Ocean Global has also made a very strong position in Saudi Arabia to capitalize on the economic diversification and high consumer spending of the country. “The switch to online distribution is very understandable in line with how the market has grown up. We are now looking to expand into further GCC markets, especially Saudi Arabia, where we see massive growth opportunities,” said Rohit Savara, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Group.  

Changing Consumer Behavior  

Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman of Blue Ocean Global Group, pointed out how consumers in the UAE are increasingly preferring online shopping. “Consumers in the UAE order their household needs online primarily because of the convenience provided through fast delivery, easy payments, transparency, and meeting customer convenience,” said Ahmed. 

The group has derived much growth and expansion for household appliances, telecom, electronics, and related products through online platforms. The trend toward e-commerce got a boost in the COVID-19 pandemic, and that surge has continued, with the UAE emerging as the regional leader in online commerce.  

Brand Portfolio and Regional Reach  

Founded in 2013 and based in Dubai, Blue Ocean Global is one of the largest online distributors in the Middle East. It has commercialized and distributed brands like NEC, Mitel, Gigaset, Black + Decker, Kodak, Toshiba, Godrej, and Philips globally.  

Operating through sales channels of e-commerce, B2B, and regional distribution, the group provides customer service in over 40 countries, including the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.  

As e-commerce and digital payments continue to grow in the UAE and Gulf Cooperation Council regions, companies like Blue Ocean Global are keeping themselves strategically well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities, further driving innovation and convenience in online shopping.