GCC’s e-commerce platform launches in Egypt
The Middle East’s home-grown e-commerce platform noon.com has announced its imminent expansion into Egypt.
The move will mark a significant step in noon’s growth journey since its successful launch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates just over a year ago.
The platform has launched a beta site for the country and said in a release that “customers in Egypt are welcome to try noon’s offering via desktop or app, shopping across a wide range of products at incredible prices, during this initial test period”.
Based in Smart Village, Cairo’s technology and innovation led business district, noon Egypt’s team on the ground is currently in the testing phases prior to the official launch.
The e-commerce platform also has a fully operational Customer Fulfillment Centre (CFC) in Greater Cairo’s Abu Rawash area, with plans to include five additional CFCs to ensure service to all cities and governorates is quick and efficient.
“E-commerce is still relatively new in Egypt, and noon has the opportunity to help shape a digital marketplace perfect for the country with this beta launch,” said Mohamed Alabbar, founder of noon. “We’re so excited to start building strong relationships with the local retail community and customers, supporting Egypt’s growth and entry into e-commerce.”
A vast amount of Egypt’s retailers have zero or limited online presence. By using noon as their online platform, retailers large and small will enjoy more visibility, access to a wider customer base, an opportunity for increased sales and a larger share of the e-commerce market.
They will also have access to noon’s logistics services to reach their customers across the country more effectively.
Noon will also be looking to recruit Egyptian talent to join the local team. Supporting and empowering the community, hiring and nurturing local talent is noon’s way of actively encouraging youth entrepreneurship which will contribute to the nation’s growing digital economy.
With a large percentage of the population below thirty, and the highest number of Internet users in the Arab world, Egypt’s youth has tremendous potential to build a vibrant tech-based economy.
