Results of the Ministry of Commerce's evaluation of car dealerships and online stores

In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and improving services for consumers in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce officially announced the results of the second phase of its comprehensive program to evaluate car dealerships, electrical and electronic appliance distributors, and online retailers. These results are part of the Ministry's ongoing strategy to empower consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on accurate and reliable data.

Context of the initiative and its economic importance

This initiative falls within the Kingdom's trade system's efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, which focuses heavily on improving quality of life and raising service standards in the private sector. These assessments are of paramount importance at present, as the Saudi market is experiencing rapid growth and high competition, necessitating clear standards that guarantee consumer rights and obligate commercial establishments to the highest levels of compliance and quality.

Details of car dealership evaluations

The data released showed that the evaluation in the automotive sector included 24 dealerships that underwent rigorous testing across 16 standard indicators . At this stage, the ministry focused on issues of concern to the Saudi public, most notably:

• The extent of availability of the most in-demand cars on the market.
• Transparency in waiting lists and booking mechanisms.
• Quality of after-sales service and availability of spare parts.
• The general commitment to preserving consumer rights in accordance with applicable regulations.

Indicators for electrical appliances and online stores

Regarding the electrical and electronic appliances sector, 18 agents and distributors evaluated based on 11 key criteria, with the results focusing on the speed of response to consumer complaints and the efficiency of maintenance services, which are crucial factors in enhancing customer confidence in the products offered.

In the realm of digital commerce, which is experiencing unprecedented growth, the evaluation encompassed 220 online stores based on 10 rigorous professional criteria. The Ministry emphasized the necessity of documentation on the "Saudi Business Center" platform, in addition to clear exchange and return policies, shipping mechanisms, and ease of communication with customer service.

Expected impact and future of commercial services

The ministry affirmed that these standards were developed in effective partnership with consumers and the private sector to ensure their practicality and ability to address real-world challenges. These periodic assessments are expected to contribute to a fair competitive environment, as businesses will strive to improve their performance to achieve higher ratings, ultimately benefiting consumers and the national economy.

All interested parties and consumers can view the full details and accurate results of these assessments via the official link provided by the Ministry: mc.gov.sa/er .