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Sahl Wednesday,02 Jul 2025

With the growth of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, many store owners are wondering: Should I focus on the local market or expand my business to the Gulf countries?
The answer isn't simple, as it depends on many factors.
This blog will help you think realistically and decide what's best for you based on your stage and store type.
1. Evaluate your store's local stability first
Before you consider expanding, ask yourself:
• Is my store well-known in Saudi Arabia?
• Do I have consistent sales and good growth?
• Do I have high customer ratings and strong customer service?
If these are all right, you're ready to consider the next step.
2. What are your products?
Some products are popular in the Saudi market, but may not be as popular in other Gulf countries.
For example:
• Products associated with a specific local culture or taste
• Products that require heavy shipping and high costs
Before you expand, find out what suits your audience in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and elsewhere.
3. Shipping and Customs Costs
One of the biggest obstacles to expansion is shipping and customs costs.
Make sure you have a shipping partner who knows how to handle shipments to Gulf countries and can offer you competitive prices.
If you don't calculate them correctly, you could lose more than you gain.
4. Test the Market Before Full Expansion
You don't need to start with a warehouse in every country. Try:
• Run targeted campaigns for Gulf countries and see the response
• Add a Gulf shipping option and monitor orders
• See what products they order from outside the Kingdom
These steps will help you evaluate before investing more.
5. Focus on Service Excellence
Competition in the Gulf is intense, and it's not enough to simply deliver your products. You must be fast in delivery, clearly state your prices, and pay attention to after-sales service.
Each country has its own characteristics and customer expectations, so study the market carefully before entering.
6. Do you have the appropriate technical infrastructure?
Your online store must be capable of supporting shipping to multiple countries, accept different currencies, and display prices in a manner that suits the Gulf market. If you operate on a simple platform that doesn't support these options, you may face difficulties with expansion.
The Saudi market offers great opportunities, but Gulf markets are also experiencing significant expansion and are aware and eager for new products.
The decision isn't "local or Gulf." You can start locally and expand gradually.
The most important thing is to work with a clear plan and use tools that help you monitor your store's performance before and after expansion.
If you want to start expanding your store professionally, contact the "Sahl" team to help you with every detail—from store development to managing shipping and payment operations to Gulf countries.