HiShopping Hits 30,000 Users: What This Milestone Means for E-commerce Growth in Oman
MUSCAT: HiShopping, Oman’s emerging super app, celebrated a significant milestone in Muscat, marking its rapidly expanding user base and outlining its digital vision for the future. The event took place at the Grand Millennium Hotel’s Grand Ballroom and brought together over 1,000 guests, including prominent investors from the UAE, China, Taiwan, and Singapore, as well as notable social media influencers and public figures.
Organized by Polaris Investment SPC, the evening combined celebration with strategic insights, unveiling HiShopping’s roadmap for future growth. The platform is dedicated to empowering consumers and merchants throughout the Sultanate and beyond.
A key feature of the event was the continuation of HiShopping’s generous monthly giveaway campaign. With more than 30,000 active users and over 2,000 registered merchants, HiShopping has committed to giving away three brand-new cars each month, alongside a selection of premium electronics and home appliances.
The campaign, titled “Recharge & Get Now,” allows customers to win prizes such as an iPhone 16 Plus, Samsung smartphones, smart TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, air fryers, and juicers simply by recharging through the app.
During his keynote address, Shaikh Hamad al Suwaidi, Chairman of HiShopping, expressed his gratitude to the attendees and acknowledged the pivotal support from Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, which he credited as a significant contributor to the platform’s rapid growth. "Since our launch on January 26, we have experienced remarkable growth," Shaikh Hamad stated, emphasizing the ambition to become the leading gateway for smart digital living in Oman and the surrounding region.
A respected Emirati businessman, Shaikh Hamad has a rich history that extends beyond the tech industry. He founded Al Ghwaiis Stables for Horses and Camels and has longstanding ties to regional racing. Additionally, his involvement spans ventures like Al Ghwaiis Car Rental, the first mobile restaurant in the UAE (1982), and contributing to the conceptual design of Ski Dubai. He currently manages a diverse investment portfolio while promoting heritage sports.
What sets HiShopping apart from other platforms is its unique economic model, inspired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Mundell’s theory of optimal currency areas. This framework emphasizes equitable value sharing between businesses and consumers, challenging traditional e-commerce norms with a user-centric approach that reinvests a share of profits into the community, thus fostering consumer loyalty.
The platform’s core values, prominently displayed during the event, focus on transparency, offering high-quality products at lower costs, and empowering local communities through digital engagement. Additionally, HiShopping prioritizes the integration of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies to create benefits for consumers, advertisers, and partners.
The company’s slogan, “Empowering Communities, Improving Lives,” encapsulates its broader mission to foster a more inclusive, sustainable digital economy across Oman and the Gulf region.
HiShopping aspires to transcend traditional digital marketplace roles, aiming to become a comprehensive super app. The platform seeks to unify payment solutions, product discovery, and community engagement, which is particularly vital in Oman as digital connectivity expands opportunities for local entrepreneurs and consumers.
The event also strengthened media relations, with invitations extended to national and regional outlets to cover the occasion. Organizers emphasized the importance of the media in sharing success stories and building public trust, paving the way for future collaborations.
As Oman advances its Vision 2040 objectives—emphasizing digital transformation, economic diversification, and the empowerment of SMEs—platforms like HiShopping are emerging as engines of innovation. By integrating sound economic principles with community-driven initiatives, HiShopping presents a promising model for inclusive growth in the digital age.
As the evening concluded, attendees participated in prize draws, entertainment segments, and networking opportunities, all within a festive atmosphere. With plans for expansion and product diversification on the horizon, HiShopping is poised to reshape the region’s e-commerce landscape, one recharge at a time.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
HiShopping’s rise as a comprehensive super app highlights a significant shift towards digital innovation in Oman, paving the way for businesses to leverage new consumer engagement models. For investors and entrepreneurs, this creates opportunities to tap into a rapidly expanding digital economy while also necessitating a focus on community-driven approaches to remain competitive. As Oman embraces these changes, stakeholders should consider how to align with initiatives that support local empowerment and sustainable growth.
