UAE consumers urge for biometric and one-click checkouts for safer online shopping, addressing security and efficiency issues, Visa report reveals.

Shoppers in the UAE are increasingly advocating for enhanced online shopping security and smoother transaction processes, according to Visa's latest Checkout Friction Report.

Even with the swift expansion of ecommerce and digital tools in the region, the checkout phase remains a stumbling block affecting consumer satisfaction and business efficacy.

The report, based on a survey of over 2,000 online buyers across the GCC, identifies security worries and complicated payment steps as primary hurdles to seamless transactions.

Online Shopping Trends in the UAE

In the UAE, 40% of shoppers list fraud anxiety as their top concern, with 37% irritated by repeatedly inputting card details.

With high shopping frequency, one in three UAE consumers purchase groceries online several times a week, with categories such as fashion, entertainment, and electronics seeing regular monthly purchases. Yet, checkout friction can lead to abandoned carts and lost sales for retailers.

Visa's research highlights a growing demand for advanced payment methods. An impressive 67% of UAE consumers would employ biometric verification, like fingerprint or facial recognition, for online checkouts. Additionally, 65% favor a unified registration system for digital payments across various sites.

The report also reveals that 82% of consumers would shop online more often if one-click checkout options were widely offered, and 66% are inclined to use Visa's "Click to Pay with Biometrics" feature.

This solution streamlines online purchases by removing manual card data entry and incorporating secure, device-based biometric authentication to expedite and secure transactions.

Salima Gutieva, Visa’s VP and Country Manager for UAE, stated: “Challenges in the online checkout process directly affect businesses, leading to lost revenue and impeding customer acquisition and retention.

"Today's consumers demand a smoother and safer eCommerce journey. Therefore, Visa collaborates with partners to offer solutions like Click to Pay, utilizing biometrics and tokenization to resolve key issues and enhance the shopping experience.

"Optimizing these interactions not only boosts business outcomes but also contributes to the UAE government's success in fostering a seamless, secure digital economy."