Tabby and Tamara on Shopify: Setup, Fees and How to Lift Sales
A practical guide to adding Tabby and Tamara (buy now, pay later) to a Shopify store in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, covering signup, activation, product-page messaging and fees.
Short answer: Tabby and Tamara are buy-now-pay-later services operating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Shoppers split the amount into interest-free payments, and you're paid by the provider. To add them to Shopify: apply for a merchant account, wait for approval, install the official Shopify integration, then show the instalment message on the product page, which is what actually lifts sales.
Why instalments matter in the Gulf
Instalments are now a normal part of shopping in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, especially in:
- Fashion and abayas
- Perfume and beauty
- Electronics
- Furniture and homeware
A shopper who sees "4 payments of AED 75" instead of "AED 300" finds the decision easier. Many merchants see basket values rise after adding instalments.
Tabby, Tamara, or both?
| Tabby | Tamara | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | UAE | Saudi Arabia |
| Strongest markets | UAE and Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia and UAE |
| Common split | 4 payments | Several payments |
| Shopify | Official integration | Official integration |
Our advice: enable both if you can. Every shopper has a favourite app, and some have a higher credit limit with one than the other.
Instalment plans, available countries and terms are set by each provider and change. Confirm current details on each provider's website.
Setup steps
1. Apply for a merchant account
Through Tabby's or Tamara's merchant site. They usually need:
- A valid trade licence. See ecommerce licence in the UAE.
- A bank account in the licence holder's name.
- A live store, or at least one ready to launch, with clear return and shipping policies.
2. Wait for approval
Usually days to weeks. Apply early, while your store is being built.
3. Install the integration in Shopify
Install each provider's official payment app or integration, connect your account and activate it as a payment method.
4. Show instalments on the product page
This is the most important step. Add the instalment widget right under the price: "Split into 4 interest-free payments". Shoppers decide on the product page, not at checkout.
5. Test
Place test orders in Arabic and English, and confirm orders are marked paid in Shopify and that returns work.
Fees: do the maths
Tabby and Tamara merchant fees are usually higher than card fees, and vary with your volume and category. Build them into your margins. Remember that Shopify also adds a transaction fee on orders paid through an external provider, depending on your plan. Details in Shopify payment gateways in the UAE.
Is it worth it? If instalments raise conversion or basket value enough to cover the extra fees, yes, and that's often the case in the categories above.
Returns with instalments
When a shopper returns an item bought on instalments, you issue the refund from Shopify or the provider's dashboard, depending on the integration, and the provider adjusts the customer's payments. Make sure your return policy is clear and consistent.
FAQ
Do Tabby and Tamara work with Shopify in the UAE?
Yes. Both offer Shopify integrations, and you need an approved merchant account with each.
When do I get paid?
The provider pays you according to the payout schedule in your agreement, while the customer pays their instalments to the provider directly.
Do instalments really increase sales?
In mid- and high-priced categories, many merchants see higher conversion and basket values. Test it and measure your own results.
Who can set up Tabby and Tamara for me?
At ShopiBuild we connect Tabby, Tamara and Apple Pay and test checkout before launch. See our packages.