Souq.com rebranded as Amazon in UAE

The multinational e-commerce giant bought Souq for $580 million in 2017, its first venture into the Middle East. (Screengrab)
Updated 01 May 2019
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Souq.com rebranded as Amazon in UAE

  • E-commerce giant bought Souq for $580m in 2017, its first venture in the Mideast
  • Service remains unchanged in Saudi Arabia and Egypt

DUBAI: The Middle East online retail site Souq.com has been rebranded as Amazon.ae in the UAE, according to a company announcement.

Multinational e-commerce giant Amazon bought Souq for $580 million in 2017, its first venture into the Middle East. 

Souq now redirects to the new Amazon site when accessed in the UAE, although remains unchanged in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, according to press reports. 

 

Customers in the UAE are presented with a statement issued by the company’s co-founder Ronaldo Mouchawar.

“Today marks a proud day for Souq and Amazon, a day that we have been working toward since the two companies came together in 2017,” Mouchawar, the newly appointed vice president of Amazon MENA, wrote.

“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. Our combined team in the region has grown to over 3,600 employees … we will continue to grow our product range, ensure great prices, and provide a convenient and safe shopping experience.”

Amazon.ae features over 30 million products from local and international businesses, including products previously available on Souq, and 5 million products from Amazon US, the company said. 

Arabic language has been introduced to both the mobile app and website “for the first time ever at Amazon,” the company said. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,588 

Updated 9 sec ago
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 10,588 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Sunday, losing 127.15 points, or 1.19 percent, to close at 10,588.83. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.57 billion ($685 million), as 28 of the stocks advanced and 232 retreated.    

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 108.53 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 23,719.13. This comes as 22 of the stocks advanced while 47 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 17.17 points, or 1.22 percent, to close at 1,393.34.     

The best-performing stock of the day was Sport Clubs Co., whose share price surged 3.69 percent to SR9.00.   

Other top performers included Flynas Co., whose share price rose 2.55 percent to SR72.30, as well as National Industrialization Co., whose share price surged 2.13 percent to SR10.09. 

Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 6.61 percent to SR8.90. 

Sustained Infrastructure Holding Co. also saw its stock prices fall 5.75 percent to SR30.82. 

CHUBB Arabia Cooperative Insurance Co. also saw its stock prices decline 5.72 percent to SR22.40. 

On the announcements front, Wataniya Insurance Co. said it has received a notice of award for a one-year contract with Saudi National Bank to provide general insurance as well as protection and savings insurance services, in line with agreed terms and conditions. 

According to a Tadawul statement, coverage will begin on Jan. 1, 2026. The contract value exceeds 15 percent of the company’s total revenues, based on its latest audited financial statements for 2024.  

Wataniya Insurance Co. ended the session at SR14.35, up 1.92 percent. 

Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., or Cenomi Retail, has announced executing a SR1.5 billion facility agreement structured as a short-term loan with Emirates NBD – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A bourse filing revealed that the financing duration is three years with an option to extend for a total of two years. 

Cenomi Retail ended the session at SR20.00, up 0.26 percent. 

First Milling Co. has announced the Board of Directors’ recommendation to amend the firm’s bylaws Article “Company Management” to increase the number of board members from seven to eight. This change reflects the firm’s commitment to broadening the range of expertise and skills on its board, in line with its growth and expansion plans for the next phase. 

The company reiterated its commitment to fulfilling all necessary procedures and obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities. The recommendation will be submitted to the upcoming General Assembly, with the date to be announced in due course. 

First Milling Co. ended the session at SR49.22, down 1.06 percent.