fbpx
Campaign Middle East
العربية
AdvertisingDigitalFeaturedMarketingNews
Anup Oommen
posted on

Chinese retail apps driving 73 per cent of UAE e-commerce ad spend

Anup Oommen
posted on

Despite the UAE’s advanced mobile ecosystem, with smartphone penetration at 97 per cent and average daily mobile internet use exceeding four hours, UA ad spending by e-commerce apps declined in H1 2025.

User acquisition ad spend Chinese retailer e-commerce applications

In the first six months of 2025, Chinese e-commerce applications accounted for 73 per cent of all user acquisition (UA) ad spend in the UAE, according to the annual State of eCommerce Mobile Marketing report recently released by AppsFlyer.

While further behind, France at 13 per cent and India at 8 per cent of UA spend in the UAE are also fast emerging as significant challengers, driven by targeted campaigns and expat-focused strategies.

The report highlights the intensifying competition overseas brands pose to local e-commerce retailers, which saw their own UA ad spend shrink.

According to experts, this likely reflects a mix of budget reallocations, mounting competitive pressure and marke


To continue reading this article you need to be registered with Campaign. Registration is free and only takes a minute. Register Now or sign in below if you already have an account.
Tags:Ad fraudAndroidAppsFlyerChinese appsChinese retail appsChinese retailersiOSlocal e-commerce retailerslow cost inventoryState of eCommerce Mobile MarketingSue AzariUA investmentsUAEuser acquisitionuser acquisition spenduser base
the authorAnup Oommen
Anup Oommen is the Editor of Campaign Middle East at Motivate Media Group, a well-reputed moderator, and a multiple award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience at some of the most reputable and credible global news organisations, including Reuters, CNN, and Motivate Media Group. As the Editor of Campaign Middle East, Anup heads market-leading coverage of advertising, media, marketing, PR, events and experiential, digital, the wider creative industries, and more, through the brand’s digital, print, events, directories, podcast and video verticals. As such he’s a key stakeholder in the Campaign Global brand, the world’s leading authority for the advertising, marketing and media industries, which was first published in the UK in 1968.
All posts byAnup Oommen

You Might Also Like