If you have been a Dubai resident for some time, there is a every chance that you have shopped from the locally grown e-commerce portal www.souq.com. Whether for some great electronic bargains or amazing deals on household items, www.souq.com has been a part of residents lives and shopping habits in the emirate for well over a decade.
Founded in 2005, the website was taken over by US based online shopping giant Amazon in 2017. Even after the acquisition, Souq continued to trade under the same brand name and domain. However in the latest update, Amazon and Souq have announced the launch of www.amazon.ae.
The brand new website features 30 million products from local and international businesses, including products previously available on Souq and five million products from Amazon US.
According to the official statement “customers shopping on Amazon.ae will enjoy the same commitment to great prices as on Souq, and the fast and reliable delivery that has made Amazon a household name and customers shopping on Amazon.ae will continue to enjoy free next day delivery on orders above AED 100 as well as paid same day delivery to select areas in the UAE.”
Customers can shop on Amazon.ae by using the Amazon App or by visiting the new website and continue to pay in dirhams using local and international credit cards or cash on delivery (COD). To localise the experience even more, Arabic language has been introduced to both the mobile app and the website to cater to customers who prefer shopping in Arabic.
“Today marks a proud day for Souq and Amazon, a day that we have been working towards since the two companies came together in 2017,” said Ronaldo Mouchawar, co-founder of Souq, Vice President of Amazon MENA. “Amazon.ae brings together Souq’s local know-how and Amazon’s global expertise, something we believe will be of significant benefit to UAE customers.”
Rebranding has only been done in the UAE as of now, there is no news of any rebranding in other GCC countries where www.souq.com also runs operations.