Zbooni, a Middle East platform for personalised commerce, is launching its first chat-to-shop marketplace, cShop Market., to support local UAE businesses.
For the initial launch phase, the platform has onboarded 50 local companies across various categories. Over the next 12 months, the platform will scale up, drawing from its community of more than 5,000 UAE-based Zbooni merchants, and look to welcome an estimated two million visitors.
CEO and co-founder of Zbooni, Ramy Assaf, said: “cShop market connects the local community and offers a more human approach to commerce.
“For shoppers today, their options are either to visit static online marketplaces or go to a mall and shop in person. This is something new, that offers the best of both. Over the years, we’ve empowered thousands of businesses with tools to sell online. Now, we’re making them more accessible and helping promote local brands to new audiences. Every business is a verified Zbooni merchant which helps ensure security and trust. When it comes to local fashion, food or fun gifts, there might be a hidden gem we can help you discover on cShop Market.”
While the cShop Market has been rolled out to customers in the United Arab Emirates initially, the business intends to introduce this to other selected GCC and North African countries over the year.
Some local brands already live on cShop Market include candles and pampering business Soapretty, bicycle brand The Adam Store and perfume brand By Cloud Fragrance.
“Many of the brands are exclusive to cShop Market and won’t appear on any other online marketplace like noon or Amazon,” said Mr Assaf.
“We’re bringing a concierge approach to online retail, so a customer can ask questions, request product customization and add personal touches for special occasions.”
Businesses will have several benefits from being on Zbooni’s cShop Market, including exposure to more customers, the ability to interact via popular chat channels like WhatsApp and to offer personalised sales in real-time.
Zbooni, launched in 2018, is present in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.
