When one of the world’s largest online retailers Yoox Net-a-Porter (YNAP) Group joins hands with a global bricks-and-mortar behemoth Alabbar Enterprises, led by business tycoon Mohamed Alabbar, one can almost feel the changing tide. No wonder mergers and acquisition (M&A) and IPO activities within the e-commerce space are witnessing annual increases every year.
The last few months of 2016, in particular, brought some big M&A related news in the e-commerce space – the Walmart acquisition of Jet.com in the US – Jet.com in turn acquired online footwear, clothing and accessories retailer ShoeBuy; Canadian retail business group Hudson’s Bay Company’s acquisition of the Gilt Groupe; and Indian e-commerce company Flipkart’s acquisition of online fashion and lifestyle businesses Myntra followed by Jabong.
Closer home, Amazon and Flipkart’s, reported, talks around stake in the Middle East e-commerce giant Souq.com that possibly didn’t go ahead owing to disagreements over valuation. More recently, Souq.com has, reportedly, attracted Majid Al Futtaim’s interest. On the sidelines of the recently concluded World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, CEO Alain Bejjani stressed on the importance of digital trading for the retail conglomerate, while also expressing omnichannel as the way ahead. He was, however, tight lipped on any possible collaboration with Souq.com.
Add to these, the impending launch of the regional online marketplace Noon.com – featuring over 20 million products with same-day delivery option – anticipated to heat up competition further. When a successful and seasoned entrepreneur like Alabbar – behind the fame of The Dubai Mall alongside several retail businesses – invests in e-commerce it surely indicates growth potential. So much so that today most regional retailers are seeking to be a part of this growth story.
Rupkatha Bhowmick talks to regional e-commerce players to understand their perspectives on how M&A activities will impact the regional online retail industry.
Read the full article in the February 2017 edition of RetailME
Watsons to open 20 new stores in the GCC
In 2020, global health & beauty retailer AS Watson Group signed its
April 29, 2024 | By Rupkatha BLandmark Group’s ‘Circulife’ could be a “giant leap” towards UAE’s textile circularity goals
“We want to not just match the price; but beat it,” claims Chemist Warehouse CEO
Landmark Group to invest $1-bn to grow the business, open 400 stores
/ 
For decades, Haldiram’s built deep recall across the UAE through its packaged
When House of Habanero opened its first physical location at Alserkal Avenue
Union Coop has completed a significant expansion of its Hatta Souq branch,
Saudi Arabia is set to welcome U.S. food exporters this week, as
Majid Al Futtaim has officially entered the discount retail segment with the
As convenience increasingly becomes currency in the region’s grocery landscape, Union Coop
As wellness becomes a lifestyle in the UAE, the grocery aisle is
Grandiose, one of the leading grocery retailers in the UAE with a
With shifting consumer behaviour, rising cost pressures, regulatory changes, and rapid digitization,
Union Coop’s blend of retail expansion, digital innovation, and community focus is
Abu Dhabi-based MAIR Group has marked a pivotal stage in its transformation
In a move that blurs the line between shopping and investing, Apparel
/ 
Why cinemas, wellness sanctuaries and cultural districts are becoming emotional infrastructure for
In a retail landscape dominated by shelves stacked with finished products, Oo
Asda, the UK’s third-largest grocery retailer, has strengthened its partnership with Deliverect
From bullion to boutiques, investment to immersion, Dubai Gold District marks a
Homegrown Ventures announced its investment in PawPots, an innovative provider of fresh,
Speed and accuracy have become non-negotiable in the current logistics landscape. In
Dubai, UAE – 19 May 2025 – FancyTech A&M (Advertising & Marketing) Awards, is
The Retail Reboot Summit 2025 culminated spectacularly with the inaugural FancyTech A&M
NRF Vice President of Education Strategy Susan Reda forecasts 2025’s retail trends
Pet ownership in the UAE has transformed dramatically over the past two
Previous Article
