The unprecedented challenges of 2020 made way for the untapped opportunities that lay in digital technologies. The growth in online shopping has led to the acceleration of alternative shopping habits like social commerce, which is estimated to grow to $604.5 billion by 2027, at a 31.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2020 and 2027, according to Stock Apps.
A good number of e-commerce companies are either already selling or planning to sell via social media. 15% of these companies worldwide are already selling on social media while 25% are planning to start.
In spite of experiencing a year in which life changed seemingly overnight, people found ways to virtually connect with loved ones despite distance and lockdown restrictions; expressed themselves in new and heart-warming ways; supported their wider communities by rallying around causes they believe in; and championed small-medium businesses, protecting them in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.
Instagram, this year has provided massive opportunities for individuals and small businesses, and doubled into an e-tail platform for a lot of businesses, especially during the lockdown. Here’s a snapshot of the major features that Instagram launched in the MENA region for brands and retailers:
“Support Small Business” Sticker
As part of their outreach to support small-medium businesses during the pandemic, they introduced the “Support Small Business”. Users can mention businesses directly in the sticker to give their followers a preview of the account. When people used the sticker, their story was added to a shared Instagram story, so their followers could see it along with other businesses that people they follow are supporting. The sticker helped businesses reach new customers and stay connected to the people they serve.
Shopping Expansion
Previously only available to managed businesses, shopping on Instagram rolled out to all eligible businesses – from the biggest brands to a shop owner setting up an online store to creators and publishers like musicians, athletes, and more.
Reels and Shop Tabs
The Reels and Shop Tabs was introduced this year making it easier for the community to discover short, fun videos from creators all over the world; and giving them a better way to connect with brands and creators and discover products they love.
Guides
They expanded Guides to the region to make it easier to find, curate and share the products, places and posts users love from their favourite accounts on Instagram.
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 BAsda and Deliverect Deepen Partnership to Power Rapid Delivery Across Asda Express
SQUATWOLF’s Kuwait Flagship Store Anchors Its Regional Growth Ambitions
Global beauty icon Ulta Beauty to make Riyadh debut at Panorama Mall
/ 
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
In the race to reinvent physical retail, many concepts promise the future
For years, Primark has challenged one of modern retail’s most entrenched assumptions:
As lives accelerate and time fragments, shoppers no longer separate “eating” from
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
Previous Article
