What Is the Development Cost of an Online Shopping App Like SIVVI

If you’re planning to build a fashion e-commerce mobile app in the UAE like SIVVI Online Fashion Shopping, you’re aiming for a “premium fashion storefront + fast delivery + strong promotions” experience—optimized for mobile users who want brands, trends, quick checkout, and easy returns.

SIVVI positions itself as a fashion shopping destination for the Middle East with curated edits for women, men, and kids, along with exclusive offers and fast delivery options in UAE/KSA.

This article explains what SIVVI is, how it differs from other online shopping platforms, what you need to run a similar business, and a realistic development cost in the UAE (AED 60,000–80,000) for a launch-ready MVP—plus profitability and how Royex can build it end-to-end.

What is SIVVI?

Overview

• SIVVI is a Middle East-focused fashion e-commerce platform for women, men, and kids.

• Offers trend inspiration, curated edits, and exclusive deals.

• Provides fast delivery in key UAE/KSA cities.

• Launched in 2014 and is “powered by noon,” leveraging the noon commerce ecosystem.

How SIVVI Differs from Other Online Shopping Platforms

Fashion merchandising, not just catalog browsing

• Emphasis on curated edits and trend discovery.

• “Shopping assistant” experience rather than pure search-based browsing.

Region-focused delivery promises

• Fast delivery in Dubai/UAE and next-day options in key cities.

Returns and customer confidence

• Clear returns policy and guided “file a new return” flow.

• Size and fit clarity reduces friction and improves conversion.

Fashion brands + deal engine

• Exclusive offers and campaigns drive retention.

• Promotions are integral to the shopping experience.

How a SIVVI-Like Fashion Shopping Business Works

Customer Flow (Discover → Buy → Receive → Return)

• Browse curated sections, categories, search, and filters.

• Select size/color, add to cart, checkout, and choose delivery.

• Track order, confirm delivery, and handle returns/refunds if needed.

Catalog & Merchandising Flow (The Fashion Engine)

• Categories: women, men, kids.

• Attributes: brand, size, color, material, fit.

• Collections: new arrivals, trending, editor’s picks.

• Promotions and pricing rules management.

Fulfillment & Logistics Flow

• Inventory-led: stock held and shipped from warehouse.

• Dropship/brand-led: brands ship, platform manages orders.

• Hybrid: combination of inventory + dropship.

Customer Support & Returns Flow

• Handle return requests and pickup/dropoff logistics.

• Manage refunds, store credits, and dispute resolution.

Admin Operations Flow

• Product moderation & content quality.

• Pricing control and promotions scheduling.

• Order exceptions and performance analytics.

What You Need to Run This Business in the UAE

Business Requirements

• Brand sourcing (own brands, authorized resellers, marketplace sellers).

• Pricing & promotions strategy (weekly campaigns, flash sales).

• Returns policy and reverse logistics.

• Customer support: chat/WhatsApp, refunds, delivery issues.

Operational Requirements

• Product photography and content team.

• Warehouse/fulfillment or 3PL partners.

• Delivery integrations with UAE courier partners.

• Fraud and chargeback prevention processes.

Platform Requirements (MVP)

• Mobile app (iOS + Android).

• Admin panel (catalog, orders, promos, customers).

• Payment gateway integration (card, optional Apple Pay).

• Shipping/tracking integration.

• Returns/refund workflow.

Development Cost in UAE: AED 60,000–80,000

MVP Features You Can Build

Customer App (iOS + Android)

• Login (OTP/email).

• Home with campaign banners and curated sections.

• Categories, search, and filters.

• Product listing + detail pages with size/color variants.

• Wishlist, cart, and checkout.

• Coupons/discount codes (basic).

• Payments (cards; Apple Pay optional).

• Order tracking with courier link.

• Returns request flow (basic).

Admin Panel (Web)

• Catalog management (categories, brands, attributes, variants).

• Price & stock management.

• Order management (pack, ship, deliver, return).

• Promotions (basic coupons + scheduled banners).

• Customer management and reporting.

Backend & Database

• APIs for app + admin panel.

• Secure authentication.

• Audit logs and role-based access.

• Performance-ready database design.

Detailed Cost Breakdown

• UI/UX + Product strategy: AED 10K–15K

• Mobile app development: AED 25K–35K

• Backend + Admin panel: AED 20K–25K

• QA + Deployment: AED 5K–10K

How a SIVVI-Like Fashion Business Earns Profit

Revenue Streams

• Product margin: wholesale → retail.

• Marketplace commission: per order from partner sellers.

• Paid visibility & campaigns: featured collections, newsletters.

• Logistics/service fees: delivery fees, priority delivery (use carefully).

Profit Potential (Illustrative Scenarios)

Scenario A: Focused Niche Fashion Store

• AOV: AED 220, Gross margin 25% (~AED 55/order)

• Monthly orders: 1,200 → Gross profit: ~AED 66,000

Scenario B: Broader Fashion Platform

• Higher volume with higher returns and CAC.

• Profit grows with loyalty, size guide accuracy, and smart campaigns.

Year-One Planning Range

• Conservative: break-even to AED 100K–500K profit.

• Upside: strong brand sourcing + retention strategies.

• Risk: heavy discounting can reduce profits even at high sales.

Technology Needed for Scalability

• Mobile: Flutter or React Native

• Backend: ASP.NET Core or Node.js

• Database: PostgreSQL / MS SQL

• Caching: Redis

• Search: Elasticsearch/OpenSearch

• Cloud: AWS/Azure + CDN

• Observability: centralized logs + alerts

• Security: role-based access + secure payments

How to Stand Out in the Market

Differentiation Strategies

• Start with a niche (modest fashion, kids, athleisure, etc.).

• Speed & reliability: clear delivery promise, transparent tracking.

• Easy returns to build trust.

• High-quality product content with real size guides.

• Exclusive drops and influencer collaborations.

Marketing Strategies

• SEO landing pages for niche products.

• Micro-influencers and user-generated content videos.

• Referral programs for repeat purchases.

• CRM automation: abandoned carts, price drop alerts.

• Weekly campaigns (“deal rhythm”).

Startup Profitability Tips

• Focus on one niche initially.

• Build high conversion, returns clarity, and repeat customers.

• Expand categories or marketplace sellers after traction.

• Main risks: high CAC, weak retention, poor sizing/content, fulfillment bottlenecks.

How Royex Can Help

MVP Planning

• Define Phase-1 vs Phase-2 features.

• Create wireframes for high-conversion flows.

• Design database/catalog structure for scalable growth.

Full Build

• Customer app (iOS/Android).

• Admin panel (catalog, orders, promos, customers).

• Secure backend APIs and cloud deployment.

• Payment & courier integration readiness.

Growth & Scaling

• Advanced promotions engine (bundles, tiered discounts, flash sales).

• Marketplace module when ready.

• Search optimization, personalization, and analytics dashboards.

• GEO/SEO content plan to reduce paid ads dependency.

Why Royex

• UAE market experience.

• Product engineering mindset.

• Scalable architecture.

• Guidance on operational workflows (returns, catalog, fulfillment).

Royex has deep experience delivering large-scale, high-performance digital solutions in the UAE and building product-grade platforms (not only project-based apps). That matters because delivery systems succeed when engineering + operations + analytics are designed together.

Royex combines development, operational insight, and scalability planning — helping startups move from MVP to sustainable growth. Established in 2013, Royex Technologies is a leading app development company in Dubai, that provides innovative solutions for small, medium, and large-scale companies.

Conclusion

A SIVVI-like fashion app succeeds by focusing on:

• Fashion discovery and merchandising.

• Strong promotions and campaign management.

• Fast delivery and easy returns.

• A scalable foundation for growth.

With AED 60K–80K, a focused MVP can launch, sell, and scale efficiently in the UAE. Profitability is achievable when starting niche, managing returns intelligently, and building retention with CRM and community-driven marketing.