وش الفارق بين متجر محلي ومتجر يبيع على مستوى المملكة

Sahl Wednesday,25 Jun 2025

Most new merchants ask the same question: "Should I start a store that serves only my city, or should I open it to all regions of Saudi Arabia?"
This question is very important, because the type of store you choose determines your delivery method, operating costs, and even marketing approach. In this article, we'll break down the difference between a local store and one that operates nationwide, and which one is right for you to start with.
1. What do we mean by a local store?
A local store is an online store that focuses on a specific region, such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, or Qassim.
It relies on a local customer base and offers faster delivery options and sometimes even manual delivery. Some of these stores target only a specific neighborhood or city.
Their advantages:
• Faster and cheaper delivery.
• Direct communication with customers.
• Precisely targeted marketing (ads tailored to a single region).
• Lower operating costs (especially for delivery and warehousing).
2. What does it mean to be a store that sells nationwide?
This type of store targets all cities in Saudi Arabia, from north to south.
This means you must have a strong delivery infrastructure, diverse payment options, and an inventory capable of covering orders from different regions.
Advantages:
• Larger customer base and wider expansion opportunities.
• Strong reputation if you serve more than one region.
• Ability to build a well-known brand across the Kingdom.
3. Differences in Delivery and Logistics
• Local stores: Often deal with a private representative or a local company for 24-hour delivery.
• National stores: Require contracts with shipping companies such as SMSA, Aramex, Zajil, and specialized companies that deliver to all cities.
The more you expand your reach, the more organization and planning are required to manage orders and shipments.
4. Costs and Challenges
• Local stores: Low costs because you can store products at home or in a small warehouse.
• National stores: Require an integrated inventory management system, warehouses, and sometimes delivery agents in each city.
Also, return costs are higher the further the store is located.
5. Marketing Teams and Audience Targeting
• Local: Marketing is often done through WhatsApp, Snapchat, or geo-targeted Instagram ads.
• Kingdom-wide: You need a broader marketing plan, professional content, and paid ads on Google and social media.
This means you must focus on search engine optimization (SEO) and create a strong product page that appeals to all customers.
6. What's Best?
There's no one answer that works for everyone. The decision depends on:
• Capital.
• Your experience in the market.
• Your ability to manage delivery.
• Expected demand volume.
Our advice? Start locally, learn the market, then expand gradually over time, and have a plan for gradual expansion.
A local store is suitable as a starter, especially if your capital is limited and you want to understand customer behavior. A national store is an excellent option for rapid growth, but it requires infrastructure, customer service, and efficient delivery.
If you want to start your own store, whether local or national, the "Sahl" team can build it for you from scratch, connect it to the appropriate delivery services, and adjust everything according to your geographic location.