Kuwait-based e-commerce platform Ubuy has launched its first line of gift cards, strategically expanding payment options and enhancing consumer choices in the rapidly evolving Gulf retail market.
Available in $50, $100, and $150 denominations, these cards can be used across Ubuy’s platform to purchase from a wide range of international products. Their value covers product costs, shipping, and customs fees, allowing a single comprehensive payment to avoid unexpected charges at checkout. Unlike typical store credits, Ubuy’s gift cards offer lifetime validity, enabling recipients to use them at any time.
While gift cards are common in Western markets, they are less prevalent on GCC-focused cross-border platforms. Industry experts see Ubuy’s initiative as part of a wider trend to tailor global e-commerce models to regional tastes, where gifting is culturally significant.
“Our goal with the Ubuy Gift Card is to make gifting more meaningful,” said Dhari AlAbdulhadi, CTO and Founder of Ubuy.
“It’s beyond just store credit — it’s an invitation to explore and shop a world of international products. For many, it offers a novel experience to receive a gift that grants access to global brands, delivered conveniently to their door, with a seamless process from start to finish.”
As a convenient payment method and thoughtful gift, the Ubuy Gift Card is perfect for occasions like weddings, graduations, religious festivals, and personal achievements. Recipients can redeem their cards instantly via the platform’s account section and use the balance in full or alongside other payments.
This launch arrives amid heightened competition in the GCC online retail sector, with global and regional players heavily investing in payment solutions to attract tech-savvy, cross-border buyers. By including customs and shipping costs in the card’s value, Ubuy addresses a common issue for regional customers — unexpected charges at checkout.
