The global e-commerce fair WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2025 hosted more than 15,000 visitors from all around the world. At the event, which focused on AI, panels comprehensively discussed the transformation of e-commerce through AI. WORLDEF CEO Ömer Nart said, “When we examine the profiles of visitors and brands, we can say that WORLDEF ISTANBUL has now become completely global.” Nart emphasized that they aim to build an e-commerce bridge between Istanbul, Dubai, and Riyadh.
The 12th edition of WORLDEF ISTANBUL, the region’s largest e-commerce fair, was held on May 15-16-17, 2025, at the Istanbul Yenikapı Event Area. The fair brought together global e-commerce brands. At the fair, which offered participating brands opportunities for growth and cooperation in e-commerce, more than 200 speakers shared their experiences in various panels and presentations on three different stages called “Future Commerce Stage,” “Masterclass Stage,” and “Case Study Stage.”
At the massive e-commerce event with around 250 booths, more than 500 retail brands were present. Exhibitor companies that set up booths at the event had the opportunity to showcase their products and services. It was reported that more than 15,000 visitors from over 80 countries attended the fair.
Omar Nart: WORLDEF ISTANBUL has gone global
WORLDEF CEO Omar Nart stated that they brought together many domestic and international companies, entrepreneurs, and sectoral visitors with a focus on e-commerce and artificial intelligence, expressing their satisfaction with the interest shown in the fair.
Omar Nart said, “WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2025 has become an important platform where the latest developments in e-commerce are discussed, new collaborations are formed, and innovative ideas that will shape the sector are debated. At WORLDEF ISTANBUL, which has become a key meeting point in the development of e-commerce in the region, we have now hosted many participants and visitors from different countries. When we examine the profiles of visitors and brands, we can say that WORLDEF ISTANBUL has now become completely global.”
Stating that they received intense interest, Nart said that 35% of the visitors were foreign, and that 40% of the booths belonged to brands from different countries.
“We want to build an e-commerce bridge between Istanbul, Dubai, and Riyadh”
Highlighting that the event, which reflects the pulse of e-commerce, allowed visitors to explore new technologies and business models in the field firsthand, Ömer Nart said, “At the same time, the foundations of many new collaborations were laid through B2B (business-to-business) meetings. The positive feedback we received is the most concrete indicator of the fair’s contribution to e-commerce.”
Pointing out that those who want to engage in e-commerce at the fair could cooperate with brands from every sector ranging from artificial intelligence to logistics, from packaging to software infrastructure, Ömer Nart said, “We want to build an e-commerce bridge between Istanbul, Dubai, and Riyadh. We are paving the way for Turkish e-commerce players to engage in cross-border e-commerce.”
“The largest e-commerce event in Türkiye, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East”
Omar Nart emphasized that WORLDEF ISTANBUL is the largest e-commerce event in Türkiye, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East in terms of brand participation and visitor density. Nart said, “My biggest dream was for a brand originating from Türkiye to become a leader in the global e-commerce ecosystem. WORLDEF continues on its path with the vision of being a leader in e-commerce events in Istanbul, Riyadh, and Dubai.”
The transformative impact of AI on e-commerce was thoroughly discussed
At WORLDEF ISTANBUL 2025, the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on e-commerce was thoroughly discussed. In AI-focused panels, it was highlighted that artificial intelligence applications and systems provide speed, efficiency, and profitability to e-commerce brands in many areas, from marketing to customer service, from reporting to campaign design.
It was also emphasized that they strengthen the competitive advantage of businesses. On the other hand, the fair also provided an opportunity for B2B collaboration meetings. In two different B2B zones set up in the fair area, many companies connected to e-commerce such as marketplaces, logistics companies, and digital payment firms evaluated collaboration opportunities with other firms.
Omar Nart: We have established a strategic e-commerce triangle between Istanbul, Dubai, and Riyadh
