(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Sachin Kumar | The Peninsula
E-commerce in Qatar is booming as an increasing number of companies are vying to tap into the country's growing online retail market. Currently, over 350 e-commerce websites are registered with e-commerce directory of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC).
Qatar's e-commerce space has a mix of big and small players as some websites are run by well known hypermarkets and retailers, while others are owned by start-ups which are jostling for their share of online shoppers.
Most of the e-commerce websites are related to delivery of food items, electronic and home appliances, apparels, transport and travel services.
The potential for further rapid expansion of the online retail market in Qatar is enormous due to ever-improving high speed Internet technologies and widespread mobile and fixed connectivity in the country.
Also, high level of disposable income among its citizens and expatriates offers enormous room for growth in the e-commerce space.
According to Impact Survey Report-2019 by MoTC, the e-commerce penetration rate in Qatar in 2019 was 37 percent compared to 15 percent in 2018.
Due to growing awareness of Internet technologies and efforts by government departments concerned, the number of people opting for online shopping is expected to grow manifold in near future.
The online shopping has also received a big push with the outbreak of COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic has forced retailers to boost their online sales. Customers have also moved to online shopping as they remain at home due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
'We have seen a surge in online shopping in the past three months. Due to high demand, we had to increase the number of home delivery vehicles, a senior official of a hypermarket told The Peninsula.
Last year, MoTC, in association with MoCI, launched ‘Theqa' programme, which is aimed at stimulating Qatar's e-commerce sector and developing local online retail sales by encouraging citizens and residents to trust the country's e-commerce ecosystem. P2
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