Basatne’s Cartlow revolutionises GCC retail with subscription-driven circular economy

Basatne, a company based in the UAE that’s really making waves in sustainable trade solutions, has recently launched Cartlow , a pretty innovative subscription-based, multi-seller platform designed to shake up the re-commerce retail scene across the GCC region. Interestingly enough, this new approach replaces the usual transaction-based commissions, which can sometimes go as high as 20%, with a straightforward, predictable flat monthly subscription fee. The goal here is to make shopping more affordable for consumers and also promote sustainability in the region’s massive retail market, which is estimated to be worth around USD 390 billion.

Now, what’s particularly noteworthy about Cartlow is how it directly challenges the traditional e-commerce model. Instead of relying on high commissions that cut into sellers’ profits, this platform’s subscription model lets sellers keep more of their earnings. According to Mohammad Sleiman, who’s the CEO of Basatne, the launch of the platform is quite significant because “makes sustainability scalable, not just some lofty idea.” Essentially, lower costs mean sellers can offer better prices and reach wider audiences without sacrificing their margins. The platform integrates refurbished items, pre-loved products, and brand-new goods into one seamless marketplace. This helps foster a circular economy where products can have longer lifespans and be kept in circulation rather than discarded.

The backbone of the platform is Basatne’s own tech, which connects consumers, businesses, wholesalers, and resellers at every stage of a product’s life cycle. This includes trade-ins, repairs, refurbishing, and resale, all of which are designed to cut waste and maximize value. It’s estimated that Basatne’s infrastructure could recirculate millions of products across the GCC annually, potentially preventing over 300,000 tonnes of electronic waste from ending up in landfills. That’s pretty impactful, especially considering the broader environmental aims like the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy.

Cartlow isn’t operating in a vacuum, this move is part of Basatne’s broader push into circular economy solutions. Their ecosystem already includes an AI-powered market intelligence tool aimed at third-party sellers, subscription programs, and fintech services designed to tackle both sustainability and affordability challenges in retail. With expertise spanning electronics distribution, refurbishment, data wiping, and recycling, Basatne has established itself as a global leader in reverse logistics and eco-friendly trade practices.

And guess what? The subscription idea isn’t entirely new for Basatne. Earlier this year, in 2025, they teamed up with Likewize to introduce “Upgrade & Protect,” which is the Middle East’s first subscription-based smartphone program. Basically, consumers can swap, upgrade, or protect their devices more flexibly, encouraging longer device usage and more conscious consumption. On top of that, they partnered with E-City to roll out a sustainable device subscription at 16 locations across the UAE, supporting the country’s 2023 sustainability goals by making tech more accessible and reducing e-waste.

All in all, these initiatives place Basatne firmly at the forefront of the region’s move toward a circular, digitally-driven retail future. As the GCC face mounting environmental and economic challenges, Cartlow offers a fresh perspective, one where sustainability is tied to business growth. By promoting reuse and recirculation, the platform tackles some of the main hurdles to adopting circular retail practices, cost, convenience, and building consumer trust.

Experts believe that platforms like Cartlow could really reshape how electronic and consumer goods are bought and sold across the Gulf. Moving away from high-percentage commissions helps protect sellers and encourages longer-lasting products, which could even lead to major improvements in waste management practices. Of course, the key to success will be scaling up the model and drawing enough sellers and buyers into the fold, plus, making sure the quality of refurbished and second-hand goods stays high.

That said, Basatne’s strategy marks an important step forward in making the circular economy a reality in a region where retail plays such a big role in both economic activity and environmental impact. By cleverly combining technology, logistics, and finance through subscription models, Cartlow and similar projects show how sustainability can be woven into everyday commerce rather than being just an afterthought or a niche effort.

All in all, for the GCC’s sustainability targets and the evolution of retail, Basatne’s Cartlow is definitely a project worth watching. Its subscription-based, no-commission platform offers a promising way to slash electronic waste, extend product lifespans, and build more affordable, responsible retail ecosystems , really, a noteworthy move for the Middle East.

Source: Noah Wire Services