Amazon is set to launch a new fulfilment centre measuring 390,000 sq. ft. with a storage capacity of 2.7 million cubic feet, i.e. a storage capacity of 9 million products.

The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Engineer Suliman Almazroua, CEO of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program. Delegations from the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Transport General Authority, and Monsha’at (Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises) were also invited.

Prashant Saran, Director of Operations for Amazon MENA said, “Technology is at the heart of our operations, and with the opening of our most advanced Fulfillment Center in Saudi Arabia, we are all set to bring an enhanced fulfillment offering to Saudi sellers. At Amazon, we relentlessly innovate on behalf of our customers and continue to strengthen our operations with state-of-the-art technology and global processes and programs in order to ensure a fast, convenient and reliable shopping experience.”

As stated in the press release, the facility operates entirely on electricity, including heating and hot water systems, eliminating the need for fossil fuel combustibles. Energy efficiency is a paramount concern, aligning with the company’s aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.

At present, Amazon has seventeen fulfilment centres in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. They are in Ismalia, Alexandria, Cairo, Assiut, Medina, Jeddah, Makkah, Abha, Gizan, Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Duba, Hafoof, Dammam, El Qaseem, Hail and Tubook. On adding Riyadh to their robust network, Amazon plans to empower Saudi entrepreneurs and sellers to expand their online businesses.

Amazon’s journey in Saudi:

Amazon entered the Saudi Arabian market after acquiring a Dubai-based marketplace called Souq.com. In 2020, Amazon introduced a revamped website, serving as a re-branding for customers of Souq.com in the kingdom.

Around March 2022, it also came into an MOU with the ministry of investment in order to foster growth for small and medium enterprises across the kingdom. In October 2022, it launched a corporate office in Riyadh along with a training program for the Saudi talent. By the end of the year, Amazon introduced Alexa with a Khaleeji dialect.

Currently, Amazon Operations in Saudi Arabia boasts a network consisting of 2 Fulfilment Centres, 3 Sort Centres, over 25 owned and third-party delivery stations, and a network of small and medium businesses operating as Delivery Service Partners.