Souq.com records an increase of 33% in number of unique visitors in the first half of 2011
Souq.com’s position as the region’s online shopping destination, has been further reinforced with the company revealing that the number of unique visitors has grown by 33% in the first half of 2011 compared to 2010. An increase of 25% in the UAE national customer base was also witnessed.
More significantly, the company announces that a large percentage of these visitors have taken the next step and made purchases largely in the consumer electronics and fashion/lifestyle segments.
“Recent numbers show that over 25% of our customers in the UAE are locals, and we have become a leading online shopping mall thanks to our customers in the UAE. Local buyers have demonstrated a high level of trust in Souq.com, and that is a result of the easy and convenient shopping tools,” says Mahendra Asarpota, General Manager, Souq.com UAE.
“Souq.com provides not only great deals and offers, but also a platform for any shopper seeking leading brands and the latest products from the region’s top sellers” he added.
According to Souq.com, the first half – 2011 figures show that the Dubai Emirate accounts for the largest proportion of buyers at 40% followed by Abu Dhabi at 30%and Sharjah at 20%. Emiratis meanwhile account for 25.66% of total purchases on-site while the Filipino population contributes to 18.07% and Indians 13.87% of total sales online.
As the largest online shopping mall in the Arab world, spreading across the region in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Jordan, Souq.com continues to demonstrate that customers get excellent value for their money.
“Other reasons for the growth are that there are no time consuming line ups, messy bargain bins or pressure to purchase,” says Asarpota. “More and more people are recognizing the convenience that Souq.com provides, making it easy to compare products’ features and prices also enhanced in the form of discounts across all electronics, fashionable clothing, and latest cosmetics. Moreover, Souq.com offers safe purchase methods including both Cash on Delivery (COD) and credit card payment options, for additional flexibility and convenience.”
Consumer electronics leads the way in terms of the most popular purchase category with the hot products being tablets – particularly iPads – mobile phones, with Blackberry topping the popularity stakes and Apple MacBooks. Perfumes and handbags follow closely behind.
“While the majority of shoppers are in the 26-35 years age group (at 40%), we are also seeing a change in this breakdown with all the other groups i.e. 18-25; 36-45 and over 55′S increasing too. Males account for 70% of all purchases,” adds Asarpota.
Notes and media contacts
About Souq.com
Souq.com is the largest online shopping mall in the Arab world, providing buyers and sellers with a convenient, competitive and safe shopping experience, across the widest selection of brands and products in the region.
From humble beginnings in 2005, Souq.com now attracts over 2 million unique visitors per month – a figure which is growing in double digits monthly – from countries across the Middle East and North Africa. Headquartered in Dubai, Souq.com has offices in Kuwait, Jordan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Customers benefit from easy access to great deals every day on Souq.com, which offers a range of payment options to suit customers’ preferences, with door to door delivery on purchased items. Souq.com is responsible for and manages the entire purchase process, tracking the shipped merchandise and verifying its delivery and only when the customer approves the item is the seller paid, making Souq.com the Arab world’s most trusted online shopping destination.
For businesses, Souq.com is the regions e-commerce partner of choice, with branded online retail stores and easy payment methods for buyers.Souq.com supports businesses’ needs, including marketing; cash flow and product distribution; consultancy and advice on e-commerce; and mentorship for entrepreneurs.
For more information please contact:
Priyam Bhargava
Account Executive, MSC/ Action
+971 50 542 8715
David Baker
General Manager, MSC/ Action
+971 50 650 3459
Nada Abdulhadi
Marketing Manager, Souq.com
+971 50 5021816
