Souq, as the leader of Amazon Middle East Station, has attracted the attention of many Chinese sellers. The potential market in the Middle East and the light industry that relies on imports provide huge business opportunities for Amazon Middle East Station Souq. This article will introduce in detail how to open a store on Souq and the key factors for successful operation.
1. Register a Souq seller account.
To become a seller on Souq, you can register in the following two ways:
Method 1: Invitation registration.
After receiving the invitation email, click the link and provide a scanned copy of the seller’s business license, bank account, contact email and mobile phone number (operation manager).
Method 2: Self-registration.
If you already have a seller account, you will receive an activation link. After clicking the link, you can set the store name, bank account, VAT number and other information. Please note that once the store name is set, it cannot be changed, and the bank account and VAT number must be consistent with the business license information.
2. Document and goods requirements.
Document requirements: A valid business license is required.
Goods requirements: Souq uses the FBS (Souq version of FBA) model. Goods must be shipped to the warehouse designated by Souq, and sales can only begin after they are in stock.
3. Account binding and fees.
Accounts registered with business licenses must be bound to the bank account of the company in order to withdraw money (US dollars can be received).
Souq does not charge a monthly store fee, but sellers need to pay the following fees:
Order service fee: 10 UAE Dirhams (AED) per order, but products with an order amount of more than 100 AED will be exempted. For specific fee information, please refer to the platform charging information.
Commission: Commission is charged based on the sales price of each product, and the commission rate is between 5% and 20%, depending on the product category.
4. Souq store features.
Logistics: Souq’s logistics system is similar to Amazon, mainly divided into FBS mode and self-delivery mode.
FBS (Fulfiled by Souq): Products are stored in Souq’s official warehouse. After the order is placed, Souq will carry out the warehouse and delivery, which is generally delivered within 3 working days. Returns are also handled by Souq officially.
Fulfilled by Souq: Sellers store the products by themselves. When the order is placed, Souq’s logistics company will pick up the goods and deliver them.
Brand registration: If you plan to sell domestic brand products on Souq, it is recommended to register the trademark in the UAE. If you want to sell internationally renowned brands, you need to obtain authorization from the brand and submit relevant documents to the Souq platform.
Marketing:
Language: When uploading products on Souq, you can use English, as the English penetration rate in the UAE is very high. The system will automatically translate product descriptions into Arabic to meet the needs of Arabic-speaking customers. Direct communication with customers is generally handled by Souq customer service, similar to Amazon’s practice.
Images: Similar to Amazon, product images on the Souq platform must be white background photos with a resolution of at least 500*500 pixels or above 90k. They must not have watermarks or other redundant information, and the images must be consistent with the actual product.
Ranking: Sellers’ key indicators are crucial to ranking on Souq, including order cancellation rate, return rate, late delivery rate, and bad reviews. In addition, product exposure and ranking can be improved through in-site marketing, such as sponsored products.
In summary, although there are some specific requirements and fees for opening a Souq store, the huge potential of the Middle East market makes it an extremely attractive platform for Chinese sellers. By following the above steps and strategies, sellers can succeed on Souq and enjoy the opportunities of the Middle East e-commerce market.