Rabbit the leading hyperlocal e-commerce enters the Saudi Arabia market
Cairo, Egypt – Rabbit, the leading tech-driven, hyperlocal e-commerce company, announces its market entry to Saudi Arabia – and a target of delivering 20 million items in all KSA's major cities, by 2026.
Rabbit is already live in KSA. The Company has established its regional headquarters in Riyadh - with a growing Saudi team, and its operations are up and running through its network of 'dark stores' (fulfillment centers) across key neighborhoods in the city. Having secured its commercial license from KSA's Ministry of Investment in 2022, the Company's regional HQ and investment in local talent follows a carefully planned, pragmatic strategy for GCC expansion with Saudi Arabia as the immediate priority.
KSA is an ideal market to benefit from Rabbit's competitive advantages of speed, convenience and reliability. Current online grocery transactions in KSA are at a lower rate (1.3%) than the likes of the UAE (5.3%) and the US (4.8%) - creating clear growth potential. KSA's overall food and grocery market is $60 billion, and a rise to even 4% online penetration – yields a >$2 billion e-grocery market.
The Company's vision also aligns closely with objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan, such as: developing the retail sector; increasing SMEs' economic contributions; attracting foreign investment; and developing the digital economy.
Reliable Convenience
By combining AI-powered recommendations with the convenience of rapid delivery, Rabbit has built a loyal customer base. The company's business model of delivering groceries, food, cosmetics, and more in just 20 minutes hinges on achieving high levels of operational efficiency—a key challenge in the e-grocery industry. Quick commerce remains a complex operational challenge worldwide, with success dependent on balancing logistics, customer satisfaction, and sustainable unit economics—an equation Rabbit continues to refine.
The market entry into Saudi Arabia follows consistent, profitable growth in the Company's original market - Egypt. Over three and a half years of live operations, 1.4 million customers have used Rabbit's app to have over 40 million items delivered (in 20 minutes or less) - with 8.5x revenue growth in the last two years.
Ahmad Yousry, Co-Founder and CEO of Rabbit, commented:
'We are delighted to announce Rabbit's expansion into the Kingdom. We pride ourselves on being a hyperlocal company, bringing our bleeding-edge tech and experience to transform the grocery shopping experience for Saudi households, and delivering the best products - especially local favorites, in just 20 minutes. We're building Rabbit Saudi, for Saudis, by Saudi hands.'
Rabbit is a 'house of brands': stocking up top household staples, and doubling down on local customer favourites. Typically, over 60% of suppliers are local, and the Company's strategy will see KSA heroes empowered in the countrywide roll-out.
Rabbit's focus on customer experience and strong unit economics enables sustainable growth that is not dependent on excessive marketing and/or discounts. Its success is made possible through its robust technical backbone: (i) streamlined warehousing – a fully digitized supply chain procuring the right items in the right quantities (ii) a user-friendly app interface - attractive showcasing of available inventory, and (iii) hyper-efficient logistics – moving from point A to point B in the fastest, most cost-effective manner. Everything from 'picking' (in the warehouse) to final 'handoff' (to the customer) is measured in seconds.
Rabbit is also delighted to have recently added blue-chip investors such as Lorax Capital Partners, Global Ventures, Raed Ventures and Beltone Venture Capital to their existing investors, namely Global Founders Capital, Goodwater Capital, Hub71, Simple Capital and Foundation Ventures.
Further information
Thoburns
Johanna Lawson-Dick
j.lawsondick@thoburns.com
+44(0)7564 584421
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
2 hours ago
- Campaign ME
Saudi Gen X consumers: ‘Most powerful, under-recognised' consumer spending force
Generation X (Gen X) has been recognised as the most pivotal force in global consumer spending, and especially in Saudi Arabia, according to the latest report by NielsenIQ (NIQ) in partnership with World Data Lab (WDL). Marketers, manufacturers and retailers still have a few years left to capture the highest possible share of the Gen X wallet, but they must pivot their strategies now to maximise incrementality, the report suggests. 'Generation X is emerging as a powerful, yet under-recognised consumer force, particularly in Saudi Arabia,' says Pavlos Pavlou, NielsenIQ KSA Managing Director. 'This generation represents a key segment for premium, AI-integrated, wellness-enhancing, and ethically positioned products. They value convenience, credibility, and control, making them ideal targets for brands delivering smart, health-centric, and sustainable solutions.' Findings from Gen X research in Saudi Arabia The X Factor report highlights that in Saudi Arabia, 17 per cent of Generation X consumers are able to spend freely without worrying about their finances, while 57 per cent live comfortably and are able to buy things they want, even if they aren't essential. In fact, the report suggests that 59 per cent of Gen X consumers treat themselves by upgrading to a premium brand product compared to a cheaper alternative. Additionally, Gen X consumers in Saudi Arabia like to stay ahead of the curve, look at new products and also inform others about them. 17 per cent of Gen X are innovators and like to be the first to try new things, while 30 per cent qualify as early adopters. 33 per cent of Gen X are considered mainstream consumers who sometimes try new things but don't go out of their way to seek them. who sometimes try new things but don't go out of their way to seek them. 20 per cent are more traditional in their spending habits – seldom try new things – refrain from taking the risk to buy something that may not work out. Consumer attitudes toward brands In Saudi Arabia, 33 per cent of Generation X consumers are brand agnostic buyers as they purchase what they need, without thinking deeply about the brand it comes from. Meanwhile, 28 per cent of Gen X are small brand sympathisers who don't go out of their way to buy specific brands; all things being equal, they prefer to buy small brands. Moreover, 23 per cent prefer to buy from well-known large brands whenever they can such as major national brands or store-brand/private label products. The report also highlights that 73 per cent of Saudi consumers prefer to purchase products that are energy-efficient or have a low cost to run, while 68 per cent are willing to switch retailers or service providers to access more sustainable options. Also, 70 per cent of Saudi Generation X consumers also stress a lot about choosing and preparing what to eat every day, with as many as 74 per cent using the intake of supplements and vitamins to support their health. In terms of product recommendations, 55 per cent of Gen X would accept a recommendation from their AI assistants such as Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant. While 49 per cent of Gen X regularly use a wearable device that autonomously tracks and learns their buying behaviours, 46 per per cent of Saudi Gen X consumers stated that they've purchased a product or service that they only experienced through augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR).
Middle East Eye
6 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Saudi Arabia behind on desert ski resort and may not be able to host 2029 Asian games
Saudi Arabia is falling behind on the construction of a desert ski resort and has held internal talks about finding an alternative country to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, according to a new report by the Financial Times on Thursday. The FT, citing five sources familiar with the project, claimed that construction of the ski resort Trojena is facing mounting engineering and logistical challenges. Trojena is part of Neom, the $500bn city in north-western Saudi Arabia. It is set to include ski slopes on top of luxury hotel roofs, a 3km-long, man-made lake filled with freshwater, and a hyper-modern hospitality and entertainment complex carved into the mountainside, known as The Vault. However, several sources said that the project will not be completed in time to host the 2029 Asian Games unless its budget is significantly increased. The Vault in particular requires huge amounts of rock to be blasted out. Sources told the Financial Times that 3,000 tension cables need to be driven into the remaining rock walls before any construction can start. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters However, contractors are only able to install one cable per day - which could mean The Vault takes eight years to build. Trojena, which is 2,600m above sea level, is due to have 30km of ski runs available between December and March each year. While there is some snow in the area, it is rare, and so the resort will rely completely on artificial snow. That snow will be produced from water pumped from the Gulf of Aqaba, which is 200km away. The water supply would also fill an artificial lake. However, the lake would need water to flow into it at full capacity for at least two years. That has not yet begun, and neither has the construction of Trojena's main desalination plant. It means that the schedule for delivering key parts of the project ahead of the 2029 Asian Games could be extremely tight. Currently, water is transported to Trojena for drinking and construction needs via tankers. There are no permanent rivers in Saudi Arabia. Neom scaled back amid budget constraints Three sources said that Saudi officials had discussed approaching either South Korea or China to take over hosting the 2029 Asian Games. The hope would be that Saudi Arabia could host it four years later. Chinese and South Korean officials denied having held any talks with Riyadh on the matter. Former employees of the project told the Financial Times that contingency plans had been put in place to deliver the 2029 event, even if all the elements of Trojena were not ready. Saudi Arabia reviewing Neom projects, citing 'limited resources': Report Read More » Neom is also intended to include a 170km straight-line city, an eight-sided city that floats on water and other grandiose projects. The straight line city has since been scaled back, with only 2.4km to be completed by 2030. Saudi Arabia's finances have been significantly strained by a fall in crude oil prices, which currently sit at around $66 per barrel. In addition to the various Neom projects, Saudi Arabia will also host the 2034 Fifa World Cup, as well as the 2030 World Expo. Both events will require costly infrastructure, and may force the kingdom to scale back other grand projects. The sporting and entertainment projects form part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's flagship Vision 2030 scheme, which aims to modernise the kingdom and diversify its economy away from reliance on oil. The Saudi government has been accused of forcibly displacing members of the Howeitat tribe, who have lived for centuries in Tabuk province, to make way for Neom. At least 47 members of the tribe were arrested or detained for resisting eviction. In April 2020, activist Abdul-Rahim al-Howeiti was shot dead by security forces shortly after making videos protesting against his eviction to make way for the megacity.
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Oman's non-oil exports grow 9.1% to $8.3bln in H1
Muscat – Buoyed by strong demand for Omani products in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and India, the sultanate's non-oil exports recorded a robust increase of over 9% in the first half of 2025. According to data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) on Wednesday, Oman's total non-oil exports rose by 9.1% to RO3.260bn between January and June 2025, compared with RO2.989bn in the same period of 2024. The growth was largely driven by rising demand from key regional and global markets. Exports to the United Arab Emirates surged by nearly 30%, reaching RO593mn in the first six months of 2025, up from RO457mn in the corresponding period last year. Shipments to Saudi Arabia climbed by 35.7% to RO538mn, compared with RO396mn a year earlier. India also emerged as a strong market for Omani products, with non-oil exports rising 33% to RO335mn in the first half of 2025, from RO252mn in the same period of 2024. The NCSI data indicated that the expansion in non-oil exports is broad-based across almost all of Oman's major trading partners, with the notable exception of the United States. This performance underlines the continued success of Omani exporters in expanding their reach and meeting overseas demand. However, exports to the United States fell by 14.2% to RO189mn in the first half of this year, down from RO220mn in the same period last year. Non-oil exports to other countries also recorded modest growth of 1.9%, amounting to RO1.345bn between January and June 2025, compared with RO1.319bn in 2024. In terms of product categories, Oman's mineral product exports stood at RO886mn in the first six months of 2025, an increase of 4% compared with RO853mn in the same period last year. Exports of chemical products rose by 4.4% to RO403mn, up from RO386mn. With enhanced production capacity in Oman's downstream industries, exports of plastics, rubber and related items grew by 3.1% to RO488mn, compared with RO473mn in the corresponding period of 2024. Base metals and related articles contributed RO674mn in export value during the six-month period, reflecting a 0.5% increase from RO671mn last year. Meanwhile, exports of live animals and animal products surged 150% to RO274mn this year, against RO109mn in the first half of 2024. In contrast, Oman's re-export activity declined by 5.9% in the first six months of 2025, falling to RO815mn from RO867mn in the same period of 2024. This decline was primarily attributed to lower transshipments of transport equipment and mineral products in the first half of this year. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
