LONDON: The online “Arabic-first” shopping platform Noon.com has launched in Saudi Arabia, aiming to carve out a share in what is still a relatively nascent market for e-commerce.
Noon is a joint venture between Emaar Properties chairman Mohamed Alabbar, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Kuwaiti franchise operator MH Alshaya. It initially launched in the UAE in October. The Saudi market offers significant growth potential to online retailers, analysts say, given the low proportion of the population who regularly shop on the internet rather than in the Kingdom’s shopping malls.
“KSA is a key market for online retail,” said Euromonitor analyst Rabia Yasmeen, adding that the online share of the total Saudi retail market is around 1.4 percent.
Norma Taki, head of retail at PwC Middle East, added: “Our 2017 Total Retail survey results show that 27 percent of shoppers in KSA like to shop online monthly versus 45 percent who shop only a few times a year.
“This highlights that there is a huge opportunity for market entrants such as Noon.com to come in and capitalize on the young population and the tech-savvy end consumer the KSA market has to offer.”
Noon went live at midday on Dec. 12. It is headquartered in Riyadh and offers products across a wide range of sectors including beauty, fashion, electronics, home and kitchen and groceries. Shoppers can make purchases online or via a downloadable app.
“Noon brings a dynamic, locally-driven and customer-oriented digital marketplace to the Kingdom serving the community and offering a new retail and much-improved experience,” said the founder of Noon, Mohamed Alabbar.
“With talented young Saudis driving its operations, along with being powered by Saudi and regional retailers showcasing their amazing products, the platform also offers Saudi entrepreneurs, including startups, to be part of a fast-growing digital ecosystem.”
Noon will be a competitor to Souq.com, which was acquired by global online giant Amazon in March. Souq already operates in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt.
This month Souq launched Amazon Global Store, which allows customers in the UAE to purchase products from the US-based Amazon.
The Middle East is set to be one of the fastest-growing regions globally for e-commerce, according to BMI Research. It predicted sales to double to at least $48.8 billion by 2021, in a research note published in September.
This growth is partly due to the high proportion of young consumers, BMI said, with all the Middle Eastern countries it ranks having more than 30 percent of its population aged between 20 and 39 years old.
The UAE still dominates the regional online market, it said, with and sales in the UAE will reach $9.7 billion in 2017, rising to $23.3 billion by 2021.
Saudi online retail market heats up with Noon.com launch
Saudi online retail market heats up with Noon.com launch
Oud, sandalwood planting initiative launched in Madinah
- Project aims to cultivate environmentally and economically valuable tree species like coffee and sandalwood
RIYADH: Madinah Gov. Prince Salman bin Sultan has launched a project to cultivate agarwood and sandalwood trees across the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event was attended by Dhafer Al-Fahad, CEO of the Jazan Mountainous Development Authority, and featured a presentation highlighting the authority’s work, achievements, and partnerships.
Prince Salman emphasized the initiative’s strategic role in promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the region’s vegetation.
The project aims to cultivate environmentally and economically valuable tree species like coffee and sandalwood, support the local economy, and raise awareness about biodiversity conservation in the Madinah region, aligning with the environmental goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
The green initiative, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March 2021, plans to plant 450 million trees by 2030 and rehabilitate 8 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, which would cut about 200 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
Saudi cabinet praises results of Syrian delegation talks in Riyadh
The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by King Salman, praised on Tuesday the outcomes of recent talks held between senior Saudi officials and a high-ranking delegation from Syria's new administration.
The cabinet reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting Syria's security and stability, as well as continuing its humanitarian and relief assistance to the Syrian people.
In a statement following the session, Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari highlighted the Kingdom's rejection and condemnation of Israeli crimes against Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing Saudi Arabia's stance on international law and humanitarian principles.
Domestically, the cabinet reviewed the progress of development programs aimed at enhancing services for citizens and diversifying the economy, alongside updates on various agenda topics, including those coordinated with the Shura Council and other government bodies.
New deal to provide disability support in Yemen
RIYADH: The Children with Disability Association and the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen signed a cooperation agreement to support Yemenis with disabilities and improve the skills of workers in the field.
Prince Sultan bin Salman, special adviser to King Salman and chairman of the association, and Mohammed Al-Jaber, the program’s general supervisor, signed the agreement in Riyadh.
Prince Sultan said that the memorandum builds on the association’s efforts to address disability-related challenges.
It aims to provide advisory services for launching medical rehabilitation centers for people with different disabilities, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Prince Sultan acknowledged King Salman’s support for the association, which has helped it expand services across the Kingdom.
The agreement also aims to share expertise, promote partnerships and organize activities to improve community integration for children with disabilities, the SPA reported.
The collaboration is part of the program’s broader efforts to support individuals with disabilities and other groups in Yemen.
Hail’s traditional doors and carvings draw crowds to Handicrafts Festival
- The pavilion also features Islamic plaster engravings inspired by the local environment
RIYADH: Visitors from across the region and beyond are being drawn to the wooden doors and gypsum carvings pavilion at the Handicrafts Festival in Hail, all keen to see the craftsmanship behind the traditional works.
Inspired by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the designation of 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts,” the festival celebrates the rich heritage of such skills and highlights their cultural and economic significance.
Craftsman Abdullah Al-Khazam explained that creating wooden doors and carvings, including those of old Hail houses made from tamarisk and other woods, demanded exceptional skill and attention to detail.
He highlighted the difference the difference between Najdi doors, made with three beams, and Hail doors, which are crafted with four, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The pavilion also features Islamic plaster engravings inspired by the local environment, a hallmark of Najdi architecture used to adorn buildings, entrances, and majlis, or council rooms.
Replicas of traditional engravings from historical Hail majlis are on display, with many visitors expressing an interest in acquiring the pieces to decorate their own homes.
Also on display are drawings and engravings from ancient clay houses, including Qur’anic verses, sayings, decorative patterns, and depictions of trees and plants.
The festival takes place at Qishlah Palace in Hail until Jan. 9.
Saudi Interior Ministry confirms ban on transferring or publishing security surveillance camera recordings
- Anyone who violates the rule will be punished with a fine of SR20,000 ($5,327), interior ministry says
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the provisions of the “Use of Security Surveillance Cameras” law prohibit the transfer or publication of security surveillance camera recordings.
Security surveillance camera recordings can only be transferred or published with the approval of the ministry or the Presidency of State Security, based on a judicial order, or at the request of an investigating authority.
The ministry explained that anyone who violates this rule will be punished with a fine of SR20,000 ($5,327).
This includes anyone who transfers or publishes recordings in violation of the law or damages or vandalizes security surveillance camera systems or recordings.
