Latest news with #Salla
Campaign ME
24-04-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
Keeping up with changes in the Saudi consumer market
Saudi Arabia has become an increasingly vital market for all types of retailers – from luxury to FMCG. But is the Saudi consumer market changing shopping habits, spending patterns, preferences, or all of the above? The answer lies in the dynamic and evolving consumer landscape, and brands must be ready to adapt. Several factors are driving this transformation. Salaries are on the rise, and more women are joining the workforce, contributing to an increase in household income. Saudi Vision 2030, with its ambitious goals of economic diversification, social reforms, urban expansion, and digital transformation, is reshaping lifestyles. Emerging sectors such as sports, culture, and entertainment are also playing a role, influencing how Saudis allocate their spending – what they buy, where they shop, and how they shop. One of the most significant shifts has been in e-commerce. With the Kingdom's digital transformation in full swing, online shopping has skyrocketed. Local digital retail platforms like Zid and Salla are thriving, while global players – particularly fast fashion brands such as Shein, Temu, and Trendyol have eagerly entered the market. However, retailers face stiff competition in this fast-evolving environment, finding it increasingly challenging to keep pace with digital consumption trends. For brands, this presents an exciting opportunity, but success requires more than simply entering the market. Understanding the nuances of Saudi culture, behavior, and shopping motivations is essential. This is where digital platforms come into the picture. The Saudi consumer market While many global markets lean on influencers and celebrities for shopping inspiration, Saudis turn to their inner circles-close friends and family- for trusted advice. Saudis use digital platforms like Snapchat to share purchases and discuss recommendations with those who matter most, making it the Kingdom's top app for sharing shopping choices – 41 per cent more popular than competitor apps on average. Shoppers in Saudi Arabia are nearly eight times more likely to rely on their close connections for purchase decisions than on influencers or celebrities. This cultural insight offers brands a powerful opportunity. By being present on digital platforms where these connections thrive, they can reach consumers in the moments that matter most. Snapchat's advertising approach is evolving to align with shifting market demands, increasingly focusing on lower funnel, direct response advertising. This strategy aims to ensures stable and predictable outcomes by engaging a larger and more diversified base of advertisers. Moments and timing are also crucial in Saudi retail. Seasonal celebrations, such as Ramadan and Eid, are deeply ingrained in Saudi culture, and brands can benefit by aligning their messaging and campaigns with these key periods. Aromatic, for example, almost tripled its ad spend during the Saudi National Day campaign while maintaining an impressive ROAS of 6.52, achieving a 118 per cent increase in purchases. While the increase in spending power has not fundamentally altered Saudi consumer culture, it has accelerated changes in how and where people shop. For brands to remain relevant, they must prioritise the cornerstone of Saudi society – connections By focusing on authentic relationships, leveraging advanced technologies, and aligning with cultural moments, brands can unlock significant opportunities in this rapidly evolving market. Regionally, 6thStreet set out to reach and acquire new audiences across the GCC. Using digital platforms such as Snapchat, the brand tapped into a unique and engaged base of high-intent shoppers and was able to celebrate 192 per cent Higher ROAS. As the saying goes, it's not just about what you know – It's about who you know. And in Saudi Arabia, knowing how to connect with the right people, at the right time, on the right platform, can make all the difference. By Antoine Challita, Head of Sales at Snap Inc. MENA
Zawya
11-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Salla acquires Sweply and launches 'Salla Ads' to elevate digital advertising for merchants
Riyadh — Salla, Saudi Arabia's leading e-commerce platform and the largest enabler of merchants in the region, has entered into an agreement to acquire Sweply, an innovative digital advertising platform. Following the acquisition, Sweply will be rebranded as "Salla Ads" becoming the official advertising solution within Salla's ecosystem. This move marks a major step in integrating digital advertising with e-commerce, offering merchants an intuitive and efficient way to reach their customers. This acquisition underscores Salla's commitment to empowering merchants with end-to-end solutions that simplify digital transformation for businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. By combining advanced advertising technology with e-commerce tools, Salla is reinforcing its position as the preferred platform for online sellers in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Over the past few years, Sweply has established itself as a trusted advertising platform, serving over 35,000 registered advertisers and playing a key role in the region's digital marketing landscape. Empowering Merchants with Salla Ads Salla Ads enables merchants to launch, manage, and optimize their advertising campaigns directly from their store dashboards. Equipped with AI-powered targeting and advanced analytics, the platform provides seamless campaign execution and real-time performance insights—offering merchants greater control compared to traditional ad solutions. Designed to maximize efficiency and ROI, Salla Ads is fully integrated with merchants' e-commerce stores, ensuring precise audience targeting and streamlined ad management. This deep integration allows businesses to enhance visibility, drive sales, and scale efficiently within a competitive digital marketplace. The new service is expected to be available on the Salla platform by the second quarter of 2025. Existing Sweply users will continue operating without disruption, as Salla ensures a smooth transition with dedicated support, maintaining the continuity of all active campaigns. Leadership Perspective: Innovation as a Growth Driver Nawaf Hariri, CEO of Salla, commented on the acquisition, stating: "Acquiring Sweply is a testament to our long-term vision of providing innovative and seamless solutions that empower merchants. Our mission at Salla has always been to shape the 'Future of Commerce'—and with Salla Ads, we are unlocking new opportunities for our merchants to thrive in the digital economy. This acquisition is a strategic step toward building a sophisticated advertising ecosystem, enabling sellers to fully capitalize on cutting-edge marketing tools. The trust of our merchants continues to drive our progress, helping us advance Saudi Arabia's digital economy and contribute to the goals of Vision 2030." Wael Hassan, CEO of Sweply, shared his enthusiasm for this next chapter, saying: "Since day one, Sweply has been about helping merchants succeed through smart, data-driven advertising solutions. This acquisition strengthens our shared commitment with Salla to innovation and merchant empowerment. Joining Salla's ecosystem allows us to further enhance advertising solutions that help businesses grow. We look forward to continuing this journey under Salla's leadership, bringing even greater value to merchants across the region." Ebrahim Mansoor Mutahar, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Sweply, commented: "We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past years, and this acquisition highlights Sweply's significant impact on the market, as well as the strong alignment between our vision and Salla's. Moving forward, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge technologies that maximize return on ad spend and further expand the digital advertising network, empowering merchants with greater reach and competitiveness in the evolving marketplace." Driving Digital Growth in Saudi Arabia With Saudi Arabia's advertising spending now at SAR 9.5 billion—and with digital channels expected to account for 90% of total expenditure by 2030—this acquisition comes at a pivotal time. The demand for integrated e-commerce and marketing solutions continues to rise, driven by rapid technological advancements and growing digital adoption. Through Salla Ads, Salla is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, providing businesses with the tools they need to navigate a fast-evolving digital landscape. This strategic move reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for digital innovation and aligns with Vision 2030's ambition to build a thriving, technology-driven economy. About Salla Salla is Saudi Arabia's leading e-commerce enablement platform, empowering entrepreneurs and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with advanced SaaS solutions that simplify the process of launching, managing, and scaling online businesses. Founded in 2016 in Makkah, Salla has since facilitated over SAR 38 billion in e-commerce sales and supports more than 100,000 merchants annually. Its continued growth and innovation have solidified its position as the go-to platform for businesses looking to establish and expand their digital presence in the Kingdom. About Sweply (Now Salla Ads): Salla Ads is a cutting-edge advertising platform that enables merchants to create, manage, and optimize their digital marketing campaigns with greater efficiency and precision.
Wamda
10-02-2025
- Business
- Wamda
Salla acquires Sweply, rebrands it as 'Salla Ads'
Saudi Arabia-based SaaS provider Salla has entered into an agreement to acquire Sweply, an innovative Saudi digital advertising platform. Following the acquisition, Sweply will be rebranded as "Salla Ads," becoming the official advertising solution within Salla's ecosystem. Founded in 2016 by Nawaf Hariri and Salman Butt, Salla enables merchants to set up their e-commerce online shops within hours. Sweply, founded in 2021 by Ebrahim Saeed and Wael Hassan, is a cutting-edge advertising platform that enables merchants to create, manage, and optimise their digital marketing campaigns with greater efficiency and precision. In March 2024, Salla raised a $130 million pre-IPO investment round, led by Investcorp, along with Sanabil Investment and STV. Press release: Salla, Saudi Arabia's leading e-commerce platform and the largest enabler of merchants in the region, has entered into an agreement to acquire Sweply, an innovative digital advertising platform. Following the acquisition, Sweply will be rebranded as "Salla Ads," becoming the official advertising solution within Salla's ecosystem. This move marks a major step in integrating digital advertising with e-commerce, offering merchants an intuitive and efficient way to reach their customers. This acquisition underscores Salla's commitment to empowering merchants with end-to-end solutions that simplify digital transformation for businesses, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. By combining advanced advertising technology with e-commerce tools, Salla is reinforcing its position as the preferred platform for online sellers in Saudi Arabia and beyond. Over the past few years, Sweply has established itself as a trusted advertising platform, serving over 35,000 registered advertisers and playing a key role in the region's digital marketing landscape. Empowering Merchants with Salla AdsSalla Ads enables merchants to launch, manage, and optimize their advertising campaigns directly from their store dashboards. Equipped with AI-powered targeting and advanced analytics, the platform provides seamless campaign execution and real-time performance insights—offering merchants greater control compared to traditional ad solutions. Designed to maximise efficiency and ROI, Salla Ads is fully integrated with merchants' e-commerce stores, ensuring precise audience targeting and streamlined ad management. This deep integration allows businesses to enhance visibility, drive sales, and scale efficiently within a competitive digital marketplace. The new service is expected to be available on the Salla platform by the second quarter of 2025. Existing Sweply users will continue operating without disruption, as Salla ensures a smooth transition with dedicated support, maintaining the continuity of all active campaigns. Leadership Perspective: Innovation as a Growth Driver Nawaf Hariri, CEO of Salla, commented on the acquisition, stating, "Acquiring Sweply is a testament to our long-term vision of providing innovative and seamless solutions that empower merchants. Our mission at Salla has always been to shape the 'Future of Commerce'—and with Salla Ads, we are unlocking new opportunities for our merchants to thrive in the digital economy. This acquisition is a strategic step toward building a sophisticated advertising ecosystem, enabling sellers to fully capitalise on cutting-edge marketing tools. The trust of our merchants continues to drive our progress, helping us advance Saudi Arabia's digital economy and contribute to the goals of Vision 2030." Wael Hassan, CEO of Sweply, shared his enthusiasm for this next chapter, saying, "Since day one, Sweply has been about helping merchants succeed through smart, data-driven advertising solutions. This acquisition strengthens our shared commitment with Salla to innovation and merchant empowerment. Joining Salla's ecosystem allows us to further enhance advertising solutions that help businesses grow. We look forward to continuing this journey under Salla's leadership, bringing even greater value to merchants across the region." Ebrahim Mansoor Mutahar, co-founder and chief product officer of Sweply, commented, "We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past years, and this acquisition highlights Sweply's significant impact on the market, as well as the strong alignment between our vision and Salla's. Moving forward, we remain committed to delivering cutting-edge technologies that maximise return on ad spend and further expand the digital advertising network, empowering merchants with greater reach and competitiveness in the evolving marketplace." Driving Digital Growth in Saudi Arabia With Saudi Arabia's advertising spending now at SAR 9.5 billion—and with digital channels expected to account for 90% of total expenditure by 2030—this acquisition comes at a pivotal time. The demand for integrated e-commerce and marketing solutions continues to rise, driven by rapid technological advancements and growing digital adoption. Through Salla Ads, Salla is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation, providing businesses with the tools they need to navigate a fast-evolving digital landscape. This strategic move reinforces Saudi Arabia's position as a hub for digital innovation and aligns with Vision 2030's ambition to build a thriving, technology-driven economy.
Argaam
05-02-2025
- Business
- Argaam
alrajhi bank and Salla Platform Company Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance E-Commerce Experience
alrajhi bank has officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with Salla Platform Company, enabling Salla merchants to integrate the 'mokafaa' loyalty program. This collaboration will allow consumers to earn and redeem loyalty points across more than 60,000 online stores on Salla, enhancing their shopping experience. The partnership is set to redefine the Saudi e-commerce landscape, offering alrajhi bank's mokafaa customers seamless access to rewards and exclusive benefits across Salla merchants and the 'Mahali' platform—the largest hub for Saudi online stores powered by Salla. On this occasion, Mr. Abdullah Aljabr, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at alrajhi bank, expressed his enthusiasm: 'We take pride in this strategic alliance with Salla, the Kingdom's largest e-commerce platform. This partnership aligns with our commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience while advancing the digital commerce ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. By integrating financial solutions with loyalty programs, we are making transactions more rewarding and seamless for our customers.' Aljabr further highlighted the bank's ongoing expansion of its rewards ecosystem: 'Our loyalty program now includes over 8,500 stores across Saudi Arabia, and we continue to partner with leading brands. Signing this strategic agreement with Salla reaffirms alrajhi bank's dedication to anticipating customer needs and exceeding expectations, ultimately empowering them to achieve their financial goals.' Mr. Nawaf Hariri, CEO of Salla Platform, also emphasized the significance of this collaboration: 'At Salla, our mission is to empower Saudi merchants to thrive in digital commerce. Partnering with alrajhi bank, the Kingdom's leading financial institution, is a major step forward in enhancing the e-shopping experience. Through this initiative, a vast segment of bank customers will enjoy the benefits of the mokafaa rewards program across 60,000 Saudi brands, contributing positively to the growth of the Kingdom's digital economy.' Hariri further noted: 'Over 92% of consumers in Saudi Arabia trust Salla stores, and our collaboration with alrajhi bank reinforces that trust. By integrating loyalty solutions with online shopping, we enable merchants to convert visitors into loyal customers without additional costs. This synergy will drive growth across the sector and further accelerate the digital transformation of commerce in Saudi Arabia.' This strategic agreement underscores both organizations' shared vision of enhancing customer experiences, strengthening digital commerce, and fostering economic growth in the Kingdom. The mokafaa Program, serving over 16 million customers, is the largest loyalty program in Saudi Arabia's banking sector, distinguished by its extensive member base and valuable rewards. With a network of more than 250 partner brands across various industries, it enables customers to use mokafaa points as a payment method.
