e-commerce - WORLDEF

Rakuten Survey: 54.3% of Gen Z Use Artificial Intelligence While Shopping

A new study conducted by Rakuten revealed that Gen Z is increasingly using generative artificial intelligence tools in the process of purchasing products and services. According to the survey, 54.3% of young consumers use generative artificial intelligence before shopping or during the purchasing process. The findings provide up-to-date data on the use of artificial intelligence in e-commerce and retail shopping experiences.

Gen Z’s AI Usage Rate Stands Out in Rakuten Survey

The survey, which included 637 “Rakuten Gakuwari” users aged 15-25 across Japan, was conducted between July 1 and August 3, 2026. A total of 38% of participants reported using generative artificial intelligence almost every day. In terms of usage purposes, education and learning ranked first at 62.6%, followed by searching for information about hobbies at 47% and getting recommendations at 30.9%.

Among those who use artificial intelligence in e-commerce shopping, 3.6% stated that they always use the technology, 13.2% use it frequently, and 37.5% use it occasionally. A total of 44.4% of users use AI tools to narrow down the products they want to compare, 27.8% use them to find the product or service they want to purchase, and 11.3% use them while conducting research directly on an e-commerce website.

Search Engines Rank First in Terms of Trust

Despite the increasing use of artificial intelligence, search engines remained the most trusted source of information in the shopping process, at 42.1%. Rakuten’s research showed that consumers use AI tools particularly to filter product options and make the comparison process easier.

In the survey, the proportion of respondents who had a positive attitude toward companies using AI in their services was measured at 31.7%. The proportion of respondents who described these companies as “forward-thinking” was 43.6%, while 26.7% considered them “open to innovation” and 17.4% viewed them as suitable for their generation. Meanwhile, the proportion of respondents who had a positive attitude toward Rakuten improving its services through the use of generative artificial intelligence reached 40.8%.

AI-Powered Product Discovery in E-Commerce

Since December 2025, Rakuten has been offering an agentic AI-based shopping assistant within the Rakuten Ichiba shopping app. Users can receive recommendations from approximately 500 million products by providing information such as budget, purchase purpose, and usage scenario through text, voice, or images. In addition to product information and price comparisons, the system can also make use of up-to-date data from the web.

A total of 30.6% of survey participants reported using generative artificial intelligence to gather product information before using the company’s e-commerce services. Rakuten AI is among the tools developed to provide product discovery and personalized shopping experiences by engaging in dialogue with users throughout this process.

Saudi Arabia’s E-Commerce Market Reaches $10 Billion in July Sales

E-commerce sales carried out via Mada cards in Saudi Arabia increased by 11.8 percent on a monthly basis in July 2026, reaching 37.6 billion Saudi riyals ($10 billion). Sales, which stood at 33.6 billion riyals in June, recorded 26 percent growth compared with the same period last year.

E-Commerce via Mada Grew in Saudi Arabia

The data was included in the monthly statistical bulletin of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). In the second quarter, e-commerce sales made with Mada cards increased by 3.1 percent from 98.3 billion riyals in the first quarter to 101.4 billion riyals. Compared with the volume of 76.6 billion riyals in the second quarter of last year, annual growth stood at 32.3 percent. Saudi Arabia’s official statistics also showed that the e-commerce sales index increased by 9.8 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.

POS Sales in Physical Retail Also Increased

In July, the total value of point-of-sale (POS) transactions in the retail sector increased by 9.4 percent month-on-month, rising from 54.6 billion riyals to 59.7 billion riyals. Of this amount, 34 billion riyals was transacted via mobile phones, while 25.7 billion riyals was carried out through cards. POS sales increased by 6.8 percent year-on-year.

In the second quarter, however, POS sales declined by 4.8 percent compared with the previous quarter, falling to 170.1 billion riyals. According to data from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics, the e-commerce sales index for retail trade increased by 13.4 percent year-on-year during the same period, while the index for wholesale trade rose by 6.5 percent.

Commercial Registrations in the Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Increased by 240 Percent

In parallel with the growth in e-commerce and digital retail, commercial activity in the field of artificial intelligence also expanded. According to first-quarter 2026 data from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce, the number of commercial registrations in the artificial intelligence sector increased by 240 percent over the past five years, exceeding 19,000. During the same period, the total number of active commercial registrations in the country surpassed 1.89 million, while more than 71,000 new commercial registrations were created in the first quarter.

SAMA’s data also shows an increase in the use of electronic payment channels. In the first quarter of 2026, the value of e-commerce transactions carried out with Mada cards in Saudi Arabia increased by 41.9 percent year-on-year, while growth in POS transactions was recorded at 4.4 percent.

Saudi Mada E-Commerce Grows 72%

Saudi Arabia-Based E-Commerce Platform Salla Acquires Paylink

Saudi Arabia-based e-commerce platform Salla has acquired Paylink, a fintech company that develops electronic payment solutions. The financial value of the deal was not disclosed. The acquisition was carried out as part of the company’s strategy to more comprehensively integrate its e-commerce infrastructure with payment and financial services. With the acquisition, the aim is to enable retail businesses to accept local and international payments across both digital and physical sales channels.

Salla Expands Its Payment Infrastructure with Paylink

Founded in 2017 by Ammar AlTwaijri and Abdulelah Alsayegh, Paylink is licensed by the Saudi Central Bank to provide e-commerce payment services and carries the “Saudi Tech” label. The company provides electronic payment solutions to entrepreneurs, SMEs, companies, and public institutions.

As part of the acquisition, Paylink’s payment infrastructure is planned to be integrated with Salla’s e-commerce ecosystem. This structure will cover payment acceptance and management across online and physical channels, as well as SoftPOS technologies, various payment methods, multi-currency support, and international collection options.

Serves More Than 65,000 Active Stores

Salla states that it serves more than 65,000 active subscription-based stores and that the sales volume generated through the platform has exceeded 45 billion Saudi riyals. In addition to online store setup, the platform offers payment, shipping, inventory management, and marketing tools within a single e-commerce ecosystem.

Salla Founder and CEO Nawaf Hariri stated that they view financial services as a natural extension of the company’s existing vision. Hariri said that with the capabilities provided by Paylink, they aim to develop smarter and more integrated payment solutions and enable merchants to receive payments from their customers at online or physical points of sale, both domestically and internationally.

E-Commerce Platform’s Acquisition Strategy Continues

The Paylink transaction represents a continuation of Salla’s strategy of bringing complementary technology companies into its organization. In 2025, the company acquired the digital advertising platform Sweply and integrated the service into its ecosystem under the name Salla Ads. This enabled merchants to manage and optimize their advertising campaigns directly through the platform.

Artificial Intelligence, Retail, and Financial Technologies in the Same Ecosystem

Within a structure where e-commerce platforms bring together retail operations such as payments, advertising, inventory, and marketing in one place, artificial intelligence-powered technologies are also among the technological components of the digital commerce ecosystem. With the Paylink acquisition, Salla’s stated focus is on expanding payment acceptance, financial services, physical points of sale, and cross-border collection capabilities.

New E-Commerce Alliance Established in Kenya

Kenya has launched the Kenya E-Commerce Alliance (KECA), which will bring together companies, technology providers, and public institutions under one roof in the country’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector. Established as part of the Digital Trade Congress 2026 held in Nairobi, the alliance will focus on reducing payment, logistics, taxation, consumer protection, and cross-border trade barriers to online commerce.

KECA will bring together online marketplaces, payment companies, logistics providers, technology firms, professional services companies, and policymakers. The organization’s priorities include industry representation, information sharing, capacity building, and supporting access to new markets.

Barriers in Cross-Border E-Commerce on the Agenda

KECA CEO Martin Muli stated that Kenya has built a strong digital infrastructure and said that the next stage is to make it easier for companies to trade digitally, across borders, and at a larger scale. Muli also stated that the alliance will provide a platform where the industry can raise the challenges it faces and develop practical solutions with the government.

Particularly for SMEs, interoperability of payment systems, cross-border deliveries, different regulations, and consumer trust are cited among the main challenges. GIZ Kenya Digital Trade Director Jennifer Chiku also emphasized that successful e-commerce markets develop not only through marketplaces, but through strong ecosystems that enable digital payments, consumer trust, and the seamless movement of goods across borders.

Tax Regulations in Digital Trade Come to the Fore

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) applies a 16 percent VAT on digital services. While resident businesses are subject to an annual VAT registration threshold of 5 million Kenyan shillings, non-resident digital platforms generating income in the country are subject to a Significant Economic Presence Tax of 3 percent of gross turnover. Resident online sellers are required to declare their earnings, pay the applicable income or corporate taxes, and register with the eTIMS electronic invoicing system.

Artificial Intelligence and Technology Companies in the E-Commerce Ecosystem

The new structure directly incorporates technology providers into the e-commerce value chain alongside payment and logistics companies. Software, data, and artificial intelligence-based technologies used in retailers’ digital operations are also part of the technology side of this expanding digital ecosystem. Kenya aims to expand access to regional markets through digital platforms under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Kenya’s E-Commerce Market Is Moving Toward $4 Billion

Kenya’s e-commerce market is worth approximately $2.6 billion (336.7 billion Kenyan shillings). The market ranks as Africa’s third-largest e-commerce economy. With increasing internet penetration, the growing use of digital payments, and the expansion of online shopping, the market is expected to reach approximately $4 billion by 2029.

Nairobi to Host Digital Trade Congress 2026 as Kenya Strengthens Its Digital Trade Ambitions

UAE Introduces 24-Hour Rule Against Counterfeit Products in E-Commerce

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced new implementation rules directly affecting the retail and e-commerce sectors as part of its efforts to combat commercial fraud. Under the new regulations, the sale of products identified as counterfeit, adulterated, spoiled, or non-compliant with regulations will be stopped immediately, and the products must be withdrawn from stores, markets, and warehouses within no more than 24 hours of notification by the competent authorities.

UAE Also Brings E-Commerce Platforms Within the Scope of the Regulation

The regulation in the UAE covers not only physical retail but also online sales channels. Supermarkets, pharmacies, retailers, and e-commerce sellers will be subject to the same obligations. Suppliers will be required to notify the points of sale to which the problematic products were distributed and provide authorities with documentation confirming that the products have been withdrawn. The Ministry will also be able to contact e-commerce platforms directly and request the removal of the relevant products or the display of clear warnings to consumers.

Consumers Will Be Notified Within 48 Hours

A public announcement regarding the product withdrawal must be published in Arabic and English within no more than 48 hours. This period may be shortened further for products that pose risks to human or animal health, safety, or the environment. If a supplier fails to meet the 24-hour obligation, the competent authorities may directly withdraw the products from the market within the following 48 hours and recover the resulting costs from the supplier.

Digital Market Monitoring with Artificial Intelligence

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced that artificial intelligence and smart monitoring systems have also begun to be used in the fight against commercial fraud. These systems support the detection of potential violations in e-commerce by monitoring open sources and electronic platforms. The Ministry is also tracking the prices of essential goods through digital price-monitoring systems.

189 Violations Detected in More Than 10,000 Inspections

In the first quarter of 2026, 10,023 inspections targeting commercial fraud were conducted across the UAE, and 189 violations were identified. While some seized products are expected to be sent to their country of origin or export within 30 days, products ordered to be destroyed must generally be disposed of within 15 business days following a court or relevant committee decision. The new framework aims to limit the circulation of counterfeit products in the UAE retail and e-commerce market, protect consumers and brand rights, and strengthen oversight in digital commerce.

Türkiye Plans $200B Energy Investment by 2035 to Expand Renewables and Modernize Grid

Türkiye is planning to invest approximately $200 billion by 2035 to expand renewable energy, develop nuclear power and modernize its electricity grid, according to the 2026 Energy Sector Report prepared by the Presidential Investment and Finance Office.

The investment program comes as Türkiye accelerates its energy transition and prepares for rising electricity demand. The country aims to increase its combined wind and solar capacity to 120 GW by 2035, requiring an estimated 8-9 GW of new capacity additions each year.

$80B targeted at grid infrastructure

Around $80 billion of the projected investment is expected to be directed toward improving grid flexibility, modernizing electricity infrastructure and expanding transmission and distribution networks.

The focus on grid modernization is becoming increasingly important as Türkiye adds larger amounts of variable renewable generation and prepares for higher electricity consumption.

Türkiye’s renewable energy sector already represents a significant share of its power system. Renewables accounted for 62% of installed electricity capacity in 2025, including 32.3 GW of hydropower, 25.6 GW of solar and 14.8 GW of wind capacity.

Renewables generated 43.4% of Türkiye’s electricity in 2025, while total electricity generation reached 356 TWh and demand stood at 359 TWh. Electricity demand is projected to rise to 455 TWh and eventually 510 TWh, increasing the need for additional generation and infrastructure.

Storage and EV infrastructure gain momentum

Energy storage is emerging as another major investment opportunity. As of early 2026, Türkiye had 372 pre-licensed solar projects representing 14.3 GWh of storage capacity, alongside 252 wind projects totaling 19.7 GWh.

Electric mobility is also expanding rapidly. Türkiye had 373,733 electric vehicles in 2025, compared with just 7,698 in 2021. Electric and hybrid vehicles represented around 25% of vehicle sales, while the country had approximately 39,000 charging stations in 2025.

Under a high-growth scenario, Türkiye’s electric vehicle fleet could reach 7 million vehicles by 2035, creating further demand for charging infrastructure and electricity capacity.

Energy transition creates investment opportunities

The report highlights renewable generation, grid modernization, energy storage, energy efficiency, EV charging infrastructure and domestic energy technologies as key areas for investment.

Presidential Investment and Finance Office President Ahmet Burak Dağlıoğlu said Türkiye’s industrial infrastructure, geographic position and role in regional energy networks could support its ambition to become a leading country in the global energy transition.

The planned investment also supports Türkiye’s longer-term objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2053, while attracting international capital, advanced technologies and strategic partnerships to the country’s energy ecosystem.

For businesses and investors, Türkiye’s energy transformation could create opportunities across renewable generation, battery storage, grid technologies, EV infrastructure and related supply chains through 2035.

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Latin American E-Commerce Market Projected to Reach $215 Billion in 2026

Latin America’s e-commerce market is projected to reach $215.31 billion in 2026, continuing to grow at a pace 1.5 times faster than the global average, according to a joint report by Endeavor and MercadoLibre.

The region’s digital commerce landscape remains heavily concentrated in its largest markets. Argentina, Brazil and Mexico accounted for nearly 85% of all e-commerce sales in Latin America in 2025, underlining their dominant role in the region’s online retail ecosystem.

Mobile Commerce Leads the Way

Mobile shopping is a defining feature of Latin America’s e-commerce growth. The report found that 84% of online purchases are made via smartphones, highlighting the importance of mobile-first strategies for retailers and digital platforms.

However, the region’s consumers are also becoming increasingly demanding.

Nearly half of shoppers said they would leave a platform after just one negative experience, with delivery delays and problems with returns among the biggest sources of frustration.

Reliable Delivery Over Personalization

The findings suggest that operational excellence may matter more to consumers than advanced personalization.

Around three-quarters of respondents identified clear pricing and transparent policies as highly important when making online purchasing decisions. By comparison, only around one-third considered personalization a major priority.

This signals a growing challenge for e-commerce companies: while many platforms continue investing heavily in recommendation engines and personalized experiences, consumers may place greater value on reliable delivery, straightforward returns and transparent pricing.

Beyond the Marketplace

The report also points to the broader transformation of e-commerce companies across Latin America.

Marketplaces are increasingly expanding beyond online retail into areas such as digital payments, credit services and logistics, creating more integrated digital commerce ecosystems.

As the market moves toward the $215 billion milestone, Latin America is emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce regions. The next phase of growth, however, may depend not only on attracting more consumers online but also on delivering a seamless and trustworthy customer experience.

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Kyrgyzstan Partners With Chinese Firm to Build New E-Commerce Platform

Kyrgyzstan is set to launch a new e-commerce platform in partnership with a Chinese company, aiming to strengthen the country’s digital commerce ecosystem and create new opportunities for local businesses to reach international markets.

The agreement was signed on August 28 between state-owned Kyrgyz Post and China’s Kashgar Fengxin Trading Co., Ltd. during the Kyrgyz-Chinese Investment Forum in Bishkek. The planned platform will utilize Kyrgyz Post’s existing postal and logistics network to support order deliveries across the country.

Beyond e-commerce transactions, the project is also expected to introduce digital services and artificial intelligence-powered content. However, key details, including the platform’s launch date, investment volume, and financing structure, have not yet been disclosed.

Expanding Digital Commerce Infrastructure

The initiative represents another step in Kyrgyz Post’s transformation from a traditional postal operator into a key player in the country’s digital commerce infrastructure.

By integrating the new platform with its nationwide postal and logistics network, Kyrgyz Post aims to make online shopping and delivery services more accessible throughout Kyrgyzstan.

The country’s e-commerce market has been growing rapidly. According to government figures cited by The Times of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan’s domestic e-commerce market reached an estimated value of $525 million in 2025, representing approximately 15% growth compared with the previous year.

New Opportunities for Cross-Border Trade

One of the project’s key objectives is to help Kyrgyz businesses reach customers beyond the domestic market.

Kyrgyz Post says the platform could enable local entrepreneurs to promote their products internationally and expand their sales opportunities abroad. However, it remains unclear which markets will initially be accessible to sellers and whether the platform will provide direct access to Chinese consumers.

Kyrgyzstan’s e-commerce market is already strongly connected to international platforms. Russian marketplaces such as Ozon and Wildberries operate in the country, while Chinese platforms including Taobao and Alibaba are popular among consumers.

The new initiative could help shift greater attention toward the opposite direction of cross-border commerce: enabling Kyrgyz products and businesses to reach international buyers.

A Broader Push for Digital Trade

The partnership comes as Kyrgyzstan continues to develop infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for digital commerce.

The government has been working on initiatives to support cross-border e-commerce, including plans related to an E-commerce Park and preferential tax policies for businesses operating in the sector.

At the same time, economic cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China is expanding beyond traditional trade. Officials have increasingly emphasized joint production, technology cooperation, and the localization of new industries.

While no direct connection has been announced between the upcoming e-commerce platform and broader transport projects linking Kyrgyzstan with China, both developments highlight the growing importance of digital and physical infrastructure in shaping the future of regional trade.

As Kyrgyzstan continues to strengthen its digital economy, the new platform could become an important tool for connecting local businesses with new customers-both at home and potentially across international markets.

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Dubai Air Cargo Transactions Surge 53% as E-Commerce Shipments Accelerate

Dubai’s air cargo sector recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, reflecting the accelerating pace of e-commerce and cross-border trade across the emirate.

Dubai Customs processed 18.2 million customs transactions through its Air Cargo Centers during H1 2026, representing a 53% increase compared with the same period last year. Shipment volumes also rose significantly, reaching approximately 1.3 million tonnes, up from around 886,000 tonnes in H1 2025 – an increase of nearly 47%.

The growth highlights Dubai’s expanding role as a regional logistics and e-commerce hub, where high volumes of smaller shipments require increasingly fast customs and delivery processes.

E-Commerce Drives Shipment Growth

The strongest increase was recorded within the Free Zone Department of Dubai Customs’ air cargo sector. The department completed around 17.7 million customs transactions during the first six months of 2026, compared with approximately 10.9 million during H1 2025 – a 62% rise.

Dubai’s air cargo infrastructure also handled more than 6.2 million postal parcels during the period, underlining the growing contribution of cross-border e-commerce to air freight demand.

As online retail continues to generate large numbers of smaller shipments, customs efficiency has become increasingly important to the wider digital commerce ecosystem. Faster clearance can directly influence delivery times, logistics costs and the overall customer experience.

Dubai Raises E-Commerce Customs Threshold

Dubai Customs has also introduced measures aimed at facilitating cross-border e-commerce.

Effective August 3, 2026, the customs duty exemption threshold for eligible goods within cross-border e-commerce shipments was increased to Dh1,000. The measure is intended to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency for companies involved in digital trade.

The authority has additionally introduced an exemption for certain returned goods imported by companies for personal use, provided the relevant customs duties were previously paid and the goods are returned within 60 days.

Cargo Volumes Continue to Rise

The increase in activity has also been reflected in cargo volumes moving through Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.

Imported goods cleared through Cargo Village at Dubai International Airport and the Air Cargo Center at Al Maktoum International Airport reached 48.26 million kilograms in May, compared with approximately 26.56 million kilograms in January – an increase of nearly 82%. Maximum daily volumes also climbed from 1.24 million kilograms in January to 2.11 million kilograms in May.

Smart Customs and AI Support Faster Trade

Dubai Customs is increasingly focusing on technology to manage growing shipment volumes while reducing clearance times.

The authority said its air cargo centres are being equipped with smart technologies, devices and artificial intelligence applications to improve inspection and examination processes.

The shift reflects a broader evolution in the role of customs, from simply processing shipments to becoming an important component of trade competitiveness.

For e-commerce businesses, faster customs clearance can help shorten the time between an order arriving at a logistics hub and reaching the end customer. This is particularly important as consumers and retailers increasingly expect rapid cross-border fulfilment.

What This Means for E-Commerce

Dubai’s latest figures point to a wider transformation in the region’s logistics landscape. As e-commerce continues to generate higher shipment volumes, the competitiveness of digital commerce increasingly depends on the efficiency of the infrastructure supporting it.

With rising air cargo volumes, expanded customs thresholds and greater use of AI-powered processing, Dubai is positioning its logistics ecosystem to accommodate the next phase of cross-border e-commerce growth.

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34% of European SMEs on Temu Have Expanded Into International Markets

A survey of 152 European sellers on Temu shows that marketplace participation is increasingly linked to cross-border expansion, higher capacity and additional hiring.

One in three European small businesses selling on Temu have expanded into new international markets after joining the marketplace, according to a new survey conducted among sellers across six European countries.

The survey, conducted by Temu in June and July 2026, included 152 small businesses from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom. According to the findings, 34% of respondents said they had started selling in new markets after joining the platform.

Marketplace participation linked to business expansion

The survey also points to broader operational growth among participating SMEs. Half of respondents said they had increased production or operational capacity, hired additional employees, or done both after joining Temu.

For smaller businesses, access to additional demand can create opportunities to scale operations, particularly when marketplaces provide access to customers beyond their domestic markets.

The findings suggest that cross-border marketplaces are becoming an increasingly important route for SMEs seeking to expand their international customer base without building market infrastructure independently.

Established businesses are also using Temu

The survey indicates that Temu is not only attracting newly established online sellers. 43% of the businesses surveyed had already been selling for more than 10 years before joining the platform, suggesting that established companies are also using marketplaces as an additional route to customers.

Meanwhile, 75% of respondents said Temu had become either an important additional sales channel or their primary sales channel.

This highlights the changing role of marketplaces within SME e-commerce strategies. Rather than relying exclusively on their own websites or traditional retail channels, established businesses are increasingly adding large digital marketplaces to their distribution mix.

Cross-border e-commerce opportunity

The international expansion reported by participating sellers also reflects the broader importance of marketplaces in European cross-border commerce. Research from the OECD indicates that more than a quarter of European SMEs already sell across borders within the EU, while many businesses consider access to the single market important for their growth strategies.

For SMEs, marketplaces can reduce some of the barriers associated with entering new markets by providing an established digital sales environment and access to international consumers.

However, the Temu survey was commissioned by the platform itself and covers a relatively small sample of 152 existing Temu sellers. The findings therefore reflect the experiences of participating businesses rather than the wider European SME population.

Still, the results point to a growing role for marketplaces in helping European SMEs pursue international sales, operational expansion and cross-border e-commerce growth.

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