Souq.com Logo PNG
The Souq.com logo symbolizes accessibility, reliability, and a wide range of products, reflecting the brand’s desire to be a leading e-commerce platform in the Middle East. The emblem’s design focuses on a broad customer base, offering goods and services that meet clients’ diverse needs.
Souq.com: Brand overview
Souq.com began in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2005 when Lebanese entrepreneur Ronaldo Mouchawar founded the company. Inspired by eBay’s success in Western markets, Mouchawar aimed to create a similar platform for the rapidly growing Middle Eastern market. Initially, the company focused on developing an online auction platform that attracted small businesses and individual sellers. Despite challenges like low internet penetration and consumer skepticism about online shopping, the platform gradually gained popularity as the internet audience in the region expanded.
A pivotal moment came in 2008 when Jabbar Internet Group made a significant investment, allowing for rapid expansion and diversification of operations. In the same year, the company began transitioning from an auction-based model to a fixed-price online marketplace, driven by the growing demand for convenient online shopping.
Between 2010 and 2011, the platform aggressively expanded its presence across the Middle East, launching operations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. During this period, the product range was significantly broadened to include electronics, fashion, and household goods.
In 2012, the company made technological strides by launching its first mobile app in response to the region’s increasing smartphone usage. This move greatly enhanced accessibility and contributed to a surge in mobile sales.
In 2014, a consortium that included Naspers and Tiger Global invested $75 million, enabling the company to improve its logistics infrastructure by launching its delivery service, Q-Express. This development helped reduce delivery times and improve customer service.
In 2015, a service similar to Fulfilled by Amazon was introduced in the UAE. This service allows sellers to store their products in the company’s warehouses, significantly expediting shipping and improving the shopping experience.
By 2016, the platform had reached a major milestone, surpassing 50 million monthly visits and expanding into the Kuwaiti market. The company also introduced a VIP loyalty program, offering exclusive discounts and benefits to its loyal customers.
A major turning point came in 2017 when Amazon announced it would acquire the company for $580 million, marking Amazon’s entry into the Middle Eastern market. Post-acquisition, the company retained its management and brand while gaining access to Amazon’s technology and resources, opening new avenues for growth.
In 2018 and 2019, the platform began integrating with Amazon’s ecosystem, adopting features like Prime and Global Store tailored for the Middle Eastern market. Significant investments were made during this period to enhance customer service and expand the product range.
2020 marked a significant transition as Amazon rebranded the platform to Amazon. are in the UAE and Amazon.sa in Saudi Arabia as part of its global strategy. This move marked the brand’s end as a standalone entity, integrating it fully into Amazon’s global operations. By 2021–2022, the rebranding process was complete, and while the original name was retired, its legacy continued under Amazon’s Middle Eastern operations.
The story illustrates how a small local startup grew into the region’s leading e-commerce platform before merging with a global giant. From its modest beginnings as an online auction site, the platform played a crucial role in establishing e-commerce in the Middle East, paving the way for future growth under the Amazon brand.
Meaning and History
What is Souq.com?
Founded in 2005 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Souq.com quickly became the most prominent e-commerce platform in the Arab region. In 2017, after 12 years of successful operations, it was acquired by Amazon.com Inc. for US$580 million, marking the beginning of a significant transformation. On May 1, 2019, Souq.com UAE changed to Amazon.ae, and on June 17, 2020, Souq.com KSA was rebranded to become Amazon.sa. Finally, on September 1, 2021, the metamorphosis ended with the rebranding of Souq.com Egypt to Amazon.eg, marking the official abolition of the Souq.com brand.
2005 – 2015
2015 – 2021
The Souq.com logo features a simple and modern text design. It is divided into two parts: the large word “SOUQ” and the smaller domain “.com.” The main text’s size and rich blue color stand out, evoking a sense of reliability and freshness, which is ideal for an online platform.
The word “SOUQ” is written in a sans-serif font with rounded edges, giving the visual mark a soft and friendly appearance. The letter “Q” has a cut-out corner resembling an arrow, creating a sense of movement and direction, hinting at convenient shopping and user focus.
The “.com” part is in a smaller font, emphasizing the domain name without distracting from the main word. Its style and color harmonize with the main word, creating a cohesive image. The dot before “com” connects the two parts and completes the composition.
The font has clear block shapes with smooth lines. It is modern yet easy to read. The thickness of the letters emphasizes reliability, and the single-line layout makes the logo compact and neat.
The name comes from the Arabic word “souq,” meaning market. This reflects the brand’s concept of creating a convenient shopping space where everything can be found. The addition of “.com” highlights the digital format and global accessibility.
The Souq.com emblem is an example of minimalism, where every detail serves a purpose. The rounded letters, vibrant color, and balanced composition create a sense of convenience and trust. It conveys the brand’s main goal—making shopping easy and comfortable.
