Doddle to develop network of PUDO collection points across Saudi Arabia
Leading Saudi Arabian supply chain solutions provider Starlinks, has partnered with international ecommerce solutions provider, Doddle, to power its move to grow the consumer ecommerce space across the region. The Starlinks Connect network, enabled by Doddle technology, will launch in Q1 2021 with a growing network of PUDO collection points across Saudi Arabia.
Currently worth $9.8bn (forecast to year end 2020, BMI Research, Oct 2020) the Saudi Arabian ecommerce market is growing significantly with an annual growth rate of 7.1% (www.statista.com 2019), but this growth is currently hindered by the final mile challenge, with the lack of an official addressing protocol across Saudi Arabia making home delivery challenging and necessitating constant contact between customers and busy couriers.
Starlinks CONNECT will remove these pain points, with convenient local collection and returns points in every Saudi region, helping to improve the overall experience for customers whilst achieving significant efficiencies and better customer engagement for partners.
The new Starlinks CONNECT network will be driven by Doddle’s technology platform. The new Starlinks and Doddle partnership comes on the back of a similar partnership announced with Japan’s leading carrier, Yamato, in September, to create a nationwide PUDO network in Japan.
With 200+ locations at launch and with plans for over 800 locations throughout Saudi Arabia by the end of 2021, Starlinks CONNECT plans to roll out into UAE and then across the rest of the GCC over the next 18 months. Lifestyle convenience is the focus for the network, with PUDO locations open every day, early until late, in supermarkets, fuel stations, gyms and popular retail outlets.
Gary Blythe, CEO of Starlinks, commented: “This is a significant shift for us and for the local market with the new Starlinks CONNECT business supporting the growth of ecommerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a win-win model that increases convenience for consumers and efficiencies for online merchants and carriers.
“To gain the trust of consumers used to a home delivery proposition it was vital that we partnered with a provider who understood the importance of the end-to-end customer experience. Doddle’s wealth of experience and proven track record with high profile retailers and carriers across the world made them the natural choice.”
Mike Richmond, Chief Revenue Officer at Doddle said: “We love working with sector leaders and challenger brands looking to shake up their market with solutions that create ground-breaking shifts in efficiency, growth, sustainability and overall fulfilment experience.
“We feel confident that this new partnership will enable Starlinks to make the most of the already rapid growth of the Saudi ecommerce market and to accelerate that growth yet further whilst enhancing the end customer experience.”
