Saudi Post launches a domestic eCommerce website – eMall
Saudi Post revealed a new eCommerce website planed for Saudi Arabia, just couple of months after souq.com launched its operations in the Kingdom, the largest market in the Arab world. eMall is available in both Arabic and English, and will feature items from several merchants but apparently listing will be controlled by Saudi Post itself, unlike souq.com, which is user-generated.
As far as I know, eCommerce is not quite a success in the Arab world, but seems like things are changing, hopefully, specially with the growing internet penetration in the Middle East, and the serious interest in our region from global players and investors.
Personally I believe the new portal will be a success if it’s well presented to the Saudi audience, specially it enjoys the wide presence of the post network that spans over 5,000 post offices across Saudi Arabia, and the logistic solution Naqel, which is an important element to ensure the success of your eCommerce service.
Souq.com, baked by Maktoob Group’s enormous online presence and extensive expertise, and a logistic solution by the leading company Aramex, succeed in offering a local alternative for eBay, which yet doesn’t allow Middle-East-based users to sell their stuff.
But since the module is a bit different, eMall won’t be competing directly with souq.com, however there are few players like AdabwaFan.com and SouqElArab.com, which specialize in books and DVDs.
The layout of the website is good, however they need to implement few SEO techniques to benefit from search engine traffic, and of course to work on their English profile. I found two stupid things there; the reflection of the Arabic logo doesn’t contain the slogan, and the poll, which gives you ability to choose either Amazing, Very Good, or Not bad, so if you think the eMall is bad save your time and don’t participate in the poll! 
