Dubai start-up Mini Exchange launches Saudi website

Dubai-based online marketplace Mini Exchange has launched a dedicated website for customers in Saudi Arabia, tapping into the kingdom’s e-commerce market which is estimated to hit $10.9bn by 2020.

The start-up, launched in 2014 by Sarah Jones, sells more than 35,000 mother and children products from over 750 global brands, and shoppers from Saudi Arabia previously had to order through the company’s United Arab Emirates distributors.

The dedicated Saudi site was launched on April 1, giving residents cheaper and more efficient delivery, cutting delivery time from three days to one to two days, and significantly reducing shipping fees.

Available in Arabic, the website was made live after Mini Exchange signed agreements with a number of Saudi-based distributors.

The company has seen strong growth over the past 12 months, having secured seed fundraising of $1.1m. The site currently launches up to 20 new brands online every week and recently expanded to include a new ‘house and home’ section.

Sales growth has been recorded at 30 per cent month on month, and organic user have increased by 50 per cent since the start of 2016.