Souq.com opens Microsoft Online Store for UAE and Saudi customers

Souq.com, the Middle East’s largest online retail and marketplace platform today announced the launch of the Microsoft online store, providing consumers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia with an exclusive destination for the wide assortment of Microsoft’s ecosystem of products, ranging from devices to software, including third-party products.

Accessible at the Souq.com website in UAE and KSA, the Microsoft online store will offer shipping, 24/7 online site access and customer support to all of Microsoft’s category-leading brands, including Xbox, Surface devices and Lumia smartphones.

“The Gulf region has shown incredible growth in the online shopping space,” said Tony Gebran, Regional Director, Retail Sales and Marketing, Microsoft Middle East and Africa. “The United Arab Emirates, for example, leads the Middle East in e-sales volumes, with some forecasts indicating a $10 billion market in the country by 2018.  Moreover, in Saudi Arabia alone, the e-commerce market is set to hit $10.8 billion by 2020 compared with a projected $6.8 billion in 2016. Because of figures like these, combined with the healthy smartphone and Internet penetration rates seen across the GCC, a partnership with the Gulf’s leading e-commerce provider is a natural next step in our regional growth story. Souq.com has the presence, the fortitude and the customer affinity we are looking for to ensure that Microsoft fans enjoy an unparalleled online shopping experience.

“We are very delighted to announce the opening of Microsoft’s Store on Souq.com,” said Ronaldo Mouchawar, Souq.com CEO & Co-Founder. “We feel we are the ideal partner for a company with the reach and reputation of Microsoft.  This partnership will allow Microsoft to maintain its brand identity, as well as benefitting from our online prowess, back-end technology and logistics. We are constantly investing in technology and infrastructure to help brands grow autonomously so we feel Microsoft has an exciting future with us as it expands across the region.”

The Souq.com Microsoft online store is a Microsoft-authorised storefront carrying only genuine Microsoft products and third-party partners with brands such as Surface, Lumia, Xbox, Windows and Office as well as a wide assortment of accessories, that will be available to consumers in UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Gamers can order an Xbox One console with 1TB of storage and an Xbox One wireless controller, bundled with action smash-hit adventure game Rise of the Tomb Raider and three months of access to Xbox Live.

Also on offer will be the Surface Pro 4, which will include a keyboard. Measuring a mere 8.4mm and weighing just 766g, the Pro 4 has all the power and performance of a premium laptop in a thin and lightweight design. It features a stunning 12.3-inch PixelSense display, sixth-generation Intel® Core™ processor and a multi-position kickstand, allowing a light and powerful tablet to become a full-functioning laptop. It comes with a Pen with precision ink on one end and an eraser on the other, while the touchscreen uses palm-blocking technology to provide users with the best possible writing experience.

In addition to PC accessories, such as wireless mouse and keyboard, Souq.com visitors can also purchase Office 365 Subscription for home and students. For more details, please visit the Souq.com Microsoft online store.

“This is the time of mobility and evermore personal computing,” said Ronaldo Mouchawar. “That’s why we welcome product ranges such as that offered in Microsoft’s store, and we’re confident customers will adopt them wholeheartedly. We’re proud to be a partner in Microsoft’s regional success story.”