Blue Ocean Group, a Dubai-based diversified business entity represents some of the world’s best-performing consumer electronics and telecommunication brands.
In a short span of time, Blue Ocean Global has partnered with leading multinational brands Gigaset, NEC, Black and Decker, Motorola, Htek, SKROSS and many more and has witnessed more than 100 percent jump in its online distribution business in 2018.
It has set an ambitious target of growing online distribution business by 3X in 2019 with current brand portfolio and new add-ons
The UAE e-commerce sector is poised to grow to US$17.8 billion, or 45.6 percent of the total value of the Middle East market by 2020, according to UK-based consultancy firm Business Monitor International (BMI). The UAE currently ranks 33rd in the world in e-commerce.
Blue Ocean Group has seen a dramatic shift in its business activities driven by online sale through e-commerce platforms.
“As app-based e-commerce sale and distribution picks up pace across the UAE, the overall distribution business is also undergoing a tectonic shift in the distribution activities,” Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Ocean Group, said.
“Driven by e-commerce platforms such as Amazon.com, Noon.com and other online portals the overall distribution business is shifting towards the digital channel and represents 20 percent of our annual turnover. Today in online space, we represent more than 20 brands in Consumer Electronics, Small Domestic appliances, Telecommunications, Accessories and even in leather accessories and baby gears.
“We have a clearly defined online business strategy which is derived from online consumer buying behavior. Today, we possibly are the only online distribution house in MENA region, says Ahmed. We have people, processes, and facilities tailor-made to cater to the dynamic needs of our customers, the e-commerce portals,” he says.
BMI forecasts e-commerce market in the region to be worth $48.6 billion in 2022, up from an estimated $26.9 billion in 2018.
The average online purchase in the UAE is above $300 in a year, higher than online purchase in Saudi Arabia, which is $90 and $94 in France, but lower than Canada where average online purchase stands at $1,100. However, online shopping is growing faster in the UAE than other countries.
An estimated $51 billion of e-commerce sales were registered across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) in 2017, according to new research launched by Dubai Commerce that said this accounts for only 3 percent of the global e-commerce sales.
It added that the region’s e-commerce sector is expected to grow aggressively at 24.6 percent through to 2020, faster than any region in the world.
“These facts and figures reflect the growing popularity of online sales and the overall trend is consumer habits – going digital. That is reflecting in our distribution business and offers a great opportunity for brands and logistics partners,” Shahzad Ahmed says.
Blue Ocean Group based in Dubai’s a master distributor for well-known international brands in over 40 countries with a team of more than 50 people. The company distributes consumer electronics, telecommunications, and small household appliances through a network of more than 100 distributors and more than 250 system integration partners. In the UAE, the company’s network of the retail distribution exceeds 300 retail outlets across the UAE.
“From a single office to multiple- offices; from a rented office to our own offices; from humble beginning of 10 colleagues to over 50 and growing; from a few customers to over 100; we have so many achievements to highlight, but it’s just the beginning of a long journey,” Shahzad Ahmed said.
Blue Ocean Group has a market presence in GCC, Middle East, Asia, Africa,Australia and New Zealand. Established in 2013, the Blue Ocean Group and its affiliated companies undertake the entire sales, distribution, warehousing, transportation, branding, advertisement, communications, and marketing activities of brands it services – offering almost 360-degree professional services.
The group is managed by a professional team, having extensive regional experience in the field of Consumer electronics and telecommunications. Technology is ever changing. The company ensures that it keeps updating products portfolio to make sure that the clients get the best brands and the latest technologies. The company has partnered with some of the world’s best names that allow it to offer a wide range of products portfolio at the best possible value.
“We believe in collaboration and are always looking at partnering with Brands that associate with the future,” says Shahzad Ahmed.