Striking Oil in Arabia – How to Grow Your E-commerce Business in the Bustling MENA Market

Striking Oil in Arabia – How to Grow Your E-commerce Business in the Bustling MENA Market

E-commerce in 2020 has shot up at a growth rate of 46%, the highest growth in a decade according to the ONS. All told, ecommerce is propping up the retail market as shoppers have been physically kept locked away for virtually 18 months.

It’s perfectly understandable that at the present time retailers would seek to bank on e-commerce and take advantage of the momentous growth in the sector. Europe is one of the highest contributors to this growth with yearly e-commerce spending reaching to £291 billion in 2020. While Europe is the favoured option to focus on for UK e-tailers with relatively close shipping and huge market value. MENA is the most underrated region in terms of market growth potential. Current estimates put the market worth at $17 billion, which is expected to rise to $27 billion in 4 short years.

How to Harness the Rising Market Potential

The first step in taking advantage of the tidal wave of e-commerce growth is identifying a target market. Retailers must first conduct internal research and consider how they differ from the competition to seek out what competitive advantage they possess. Once a retailer has identified their strength, they must launch a penetrative marketing campaign into the targeted region. Things to consider for a successful launch campaign include:

• Who to sell to?
• The touch points on the sales funnel
• How to get your products to them

The majority of sellers in the UK struggle with setting up operations overseas, and penetrating a market that’s over 4,000 miles away requires intense planning and organisation to ensure success. The highly complex customs procedures and checks mean that most western logistic firms struggle to provide adequate service to UK e-commerce sellers shipping to the MENA region, halting western e-commerce firms taking advantage of the rapidly growing lucrative MENA online retail market.

Your MENA Logistics Expert

To perform effectively in this e-commerce paradise, e-tailers must partner with a MENA expert. The MENA region is an example of complicated custom border checks with strict importation regulatory compliance guidelines. Aramex has the expertise and an expansive network that ensures swift and smooth clearance of shipments at borders. Our infrastructure in the area and our countless facilities and warehouses in key hubs help us manage supply chains internationally.

When you work with Aramex, our team is your right hand in the region. Our experience and extensive detailed knowledge of specific markets and demographics are yours. We’re not just a logistics provider, we are so much more.

To be part of the Aramex network and to receive our wide range of services and logistics solutions, get in touch with our team.