Amazon has launched its new Middle Eastern ecommerce marketplace, two years after acquiring Dubai-based ecommerce company Souq.com for $580 million.
CNBC reported that Souq.com will be rebranded to Amazon.ae and the original Souq URL will take shoppers directly to the new one. Souq as a distinct brand will remain available in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Plans for the new marketplace were announced in January. Amazon has been making an active push for the Middle East, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In January, the ecommerce giant reached out to large third-party sellers in North America about the opportunity to expands in the underserved, oil-rich region.
Amazon told sellers not to sign up on Souq.com as it plans to list all of its inventory on its own marketplace.
Last September, Amazon launched a local service in Turkey, marking its 17th global site, CNBC reported. In the first quarter of 2019, Amazon reported its international sales were up 9% to $16,192.