Up to 80% off, local shipping and exclusive stc offers, all in one place.

Riyadh, 1 September 2025: Back-to-school shopping no longer means endless lists, crowded malls and juggling bags in the summer heat. This year, families across the Gulf are cutting the stress and saving big by turning to AliExpress—the one-stop shop that delivers everything straight to your door.

With more than 100 million products, trusted service and family-friendly prices, AliExpress is quickly becoming the go-to destination for parents. Here’s why more families in the Gulf are making the switch:

1. Save up to 80% on essentials

From backpacks and lunchboxes to laptops and calculators, AliExpress is offering discounts of up to 80 percent. That means more supplies for the kids and more money left in your wallet.

According to Snapchat, 84% of Gulf parents report rising back-to-school expenses each year. [1] AliExpress is helping families save more.

Must-have: Multifunctional Laptop Backpack—durable, spacious and stylish enough for teens while giving parents peace of mind it will last the year.

2. Big-name tech at family-friendly prices

AliExpress brings global tech brands to the GCC without the mall markup. Tablets for homework, smartwatches for fitness and earbuds for online classes, all at prices designed for families.

An Intel and IDC study found that nearly 60% of GCC students use laptops for schoolwork, while the rest prefer tablets. [2] Both are available on AliExpress at a fraction of the cost.

Must-have: HUAWEI MatePad 11.5″ 2025 Edition—lightweight, powerful and built for both study and downtime.

3. Fast GCC delivery and free returns

Parents no longer need to sweat through August traffic and crowded parking lots. Many AliExpress products now ship from within the GCC, arriving in just a few days. And if something is not right, returns are free and simple.


Globally, 68% of online shoppers say fast delivery is their top priority, something GCC families preparing for the new term also highly value.[3]

Must-have: HUAWEI WATCH FIT 4 Series—sleek design, advanced health and fitness tracking, and a 10-day battery. Delivered to your door in days.

4. Over 100 million choices in one app

Uniforms, stationery, art supplies, gadgets and even those last-minute extras—AliExpress puts everything in one place. Parents can skip the weekend mall marathon and get it all done in minutes.

More than half of parents globally now consolidate their back-to-school shopping in one place, a trend that’s catching on quickly across the Gulf.[4]

Must-have: Bluetooth 5.3 TWS Wireless Earbuds—clear sound, all-day comfort and perfect for both study sessions and downtime.

5. Customer service in Arabic and English

AliExpress makes life easier for busy parents with responsive customer service available in both Arabic and English.


According to The National, 88% of online shoppers in the Middle East prefer to buy products in their native language.[5]

The AliExpress Back-to-School Sale is now live

Forget battling shopping mall traffic and shop from your sofa instead. Save big and get the school year started at aliexpress.com or the AliExpress app.

  • Sale dates: August 17–27
  • Exclusive bonus: KSA shoppers can unlock even more savings with stc partnership offers.

[1] 2024 NRG study commissioned by Snap Inc. | Base: Student Snapchatters (n=149) | QBTS_AGREE: How much do you agree or disagree with the following?

[2] Muaz Shabandri, “UAE Schools Encourage Tablets in Place of Books,” Khaleej Times, January 29, 2015, updated December 15, 2022, https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/education/uae-schools-encourage-tablets-in-place-of-books.

[3] Abbas Haleem, “Free and Fast Shipping Remain Consumers’ Top Delivery Priorities in 2024,” Digital Commerce 360, September 13, 2024, https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2024/09/13/free-and-fast-shipping-consumers-delivery-2024.

[4] Citigroup Inc., “The Back-to-School Shopping Paradox: Parents Save Time but Spend More When They Bring Their Children Along, Citi Retail Services Survey Finds,” Press Release, July 25, 2018, https://www.citigroup.com/global/news/press-release/2018/the-back-to-school-shopping-paradox-parents-save-time-but-spend-more-when-they-bring-their-children-along-citi-retail-services-survey-finds.

[5] Manar Al Hinai, “Why More Middle East Businesses Need to Communicate in Arabic,” The National, December 12, 2020, https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/why-more-middle-east-businesses-need-to-communicate-in-arabic-1.1127305.